27 Nov 2022

The Ministry of Agriculture has secured three mobile spray races for tick control in affected areas of the Okavango sub-district. Responding to a question in Parliament, the Assistant Minister Mr Molebatsi Molebatsi said the ministry had also adopted other strategies to deal with tick infestation which included assisting farmers with dips and antibiotic treatments.

“Dipping in most affected areas of Beetsha and Eretsha will run from November 28 to December 6 until the problem is under control,” he said. 

Mr Molebatsi further noted that treatment for Dermatophylosis (Senkobo) and the Bont tick dipping was last conducted in August at Beetsha and Eretsha and a total of 1 057 cattle were dipped at an interval of 2-3 weeks over 50 days. 

During the same period, 308 cattle were treated for Dermatophylosis at Beetsha and Eretsha. He said while tick infestation in the Gumare/Tubu area was low, infestation in the eastern part was significant in Eretsha and Beetsha. He also said investigations were underway in other parts to characterise the infestation levels and incidence of tick-borne diseases and secondary infections such as dermatophytosis. 

The ministry has a record of only 32 cattle that have died reportedly due to tick infestation and related complications since February 2021, however, the figure might be higher as some mortalities may go unreported, he said. Okavango MP Mr Kenny Kapinga had wanted to know the current state of infestation of the mobile tick on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta, especially in Beetsha, Eretsha and Gunotsoga areas and measures in place to address the situation. ENDS