13 Oct 2020

Efforts are underway to control suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Nxamasera extension area.

Department of Veterinary Services has mobilised more teams to conduct surveillance and vaccination as control measures.

Head of FMD office in Maun, Dr Odireleng Thololwane, revealed during a recent meeting with stakeholders that maintenance of buffalo fences around the Okavango Delta and border fences would be done.

He reported that about 13 cattle at one crush in Xhaoga exhibited symptoms consistent with FMD.

Dr Thololwane said they suspected possible infections since it seemed the outbreak was diagnosed around independence holidays.

They suspected that the affected cattle could have mixed with other animals from nearby villages such as Sepopa, Kuchumuchu and surrounding catchment areas.

Since the FMD outbreak was also reported in neighbouring Namibia, he stated that surveillance would be expanded to areas of Dobe border post, Shakawe to determine the spread.

He said efforts would also be made to patrol the border fence and estimated that the whole exercise would need P10 million.

The acting agricultural coordinator, Mr Kenny Mabote, told the meeting that samples of the affected animals had been sent to the laboratory and results were expected this week.

He added that surveillance teams were on the ground, starting from Samochima to Ikoga gate.

Mr Mabote also stated that there was a planned FMD vaccination exercise, noting that the Department of Veterinary Services normally conducted three exercises in a year.

The last exercise, he said, was conducted at the end of July, noting that they were expecting more teams to beef up the existing ones.

He said some teams would focus on the red zone, while others would vaccinate at Hainaveld ranches and other zones within the district.

Mr Mabote urged farmers to cooperate and bring all their animals for vaccination. ENDS