The Botswana Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food Security has confirmed a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Ngamiland District, about 1,500 km north-west of the capital Gaborone.
In a statement issued on June 13, the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) said five cattle have since been quarantined after exhibiting suspicious symptoms consistent with FMD.
DVS director Dr Letlhogile Modisa said the department has since banned the slaughter and movement of all cloven-hoofed animals in and out of the district to prevent the disease from spreading.
“As a result of preliminary findings, the slaughter and movement of all cloven hooved animals and their fresh products within and out of the Sehithwa, Toteng, Bodibeng, Kareng and Semboyo extension areas has been suspended until further notice,” Modisa said.
The government has also suspended the sale of all meat and meat products that were produced by Ngamiland-based slaughter and processing plants in the last 30 days.
Farmers have been urged to cooperate with agricultural extension officials in reporting and rounding up sick animals. The quarantine order will be reviewed as soon as the extent of the outbreak is determined.
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