12 Aug 2026

The mass vaccination programme has suppressed the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in Zones 3c-Maitengwe and 6b in the North East District. 

Addressing Parliament on issues affecting the country’s national cattle herd on Tuesday, Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Dr Edwin Dikoloti said the outbreaks had been formally closed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), marking a significant achievement that shows the effectiveness of science-based interventions against FMD. 

He said vaccination would continue in these areas to sustain herd immunity and guard against potential transboundary virus introduction. 

To secure an absolute victory, targeted vaccination was ongoing to strengthen herd immunity against trans-boundary threats, he said. 

He said based on strong epidemiological evidence, the  ministry was compiling a dossier for WOAH to achieve FMD Free-With-Vaccination status, crucial for reopening global markets for livestock and animal products. 

Dr Dikoloti said implementing strong bio-security measures was essential for disease containment, protecting rural livelihoods, ensuring national economic stability and restoring Botswana’s international trade status for livestock and products. 

He said bio-security was crucial for preventing disease spread in animals and that any unnecessary animal movement or breaches of veterinary controls could enable viral transmission. 

Dr Dikoloti emphasised that overcoming FMD demanded comprehensive commitment from all sectors, including farmers and communities. 

He said while there was pressure to lift restrictions and stimulate rural economies, premature lifting could lead to renewed outbreaks and extended trade bans.  

To expedite trade restoration, Dr Dikoloti said a containment zone was being established to isolate affected areas while protecting the disease-free regions of the nation. 

The minister said the Southern Boundary stretched along the Botswana-South Africa border from Sakutswane Lands to Verda, while the northern boundary runs from Sakutswane Lands through Mogobane and Ranaka bypasses, continuing through the Kanye and Mmathethe passes to Tsoaneng, Sekutlhane, and Masampa-Verda. 

He said upon completion of the boundary fence and certification by the Director of Veterinary Services, government would inform WOAH for recognition of the containment zone, allowing Botswana beef to re-enter the global market. 

Dr Dikoloti said safe movement protocols had been implemented to maintain local value chains. 

He said livestock from non-outbreak areas could be processed at designated abattoirs within Zone 11 and intensively managed livestock from BAITS-registered units might be slaughtered at approved establishments in the containment zone. 

Furthermore, Dr Dikoloti said government had initiated a masterplan for recovery focusing on resilience, infrastructure and international partnerships with key actions including a unified national emergency response led by the Office of the President, infrastructure upgrades, including a 182 km fence and repairs to over 1 152 km of veterinary borders and smart rezoning to optimise trade. 

Moreover, he said high-precision mapping was being employed for animal traceability, while regional alliances aimed to secure borders. 

He also said global expertise was being leveraged for laboratory modernisation and health integration, while efforts to establish “Brand Botswana Beef” aimed to promote the country’s organic beef products in premium markets. 

Meanwhile, Dr Dikoloti said active FMD transmission in the southern regions of the country, particularly in Zones 11 and 13, was localised primarily along the Botswana-South Africa border. In Zone 11, he said it is focused around Phitshane-Molopo and Tshidilamolomo, while in Zone 13, certain ranches like the Banyana Farms continued to be impacted. 

Dr Dikoloti therefore, assured stakeholders that efforts were underway to resolve the situation, urging patience for long-term benefits over hasty actions.ENDS