Foot and mouth disease outbreaks in Botswana

There have been two reports of foot and mouth disease (FMD) recorded in cattle in Botswana.

A total of 79 cases of FMD were reported on a farm in the Segongwana crush, Ngamiland District last month. The farm held 250 cattle in total.

In a second report on 4 August another farm in the Gubago Crush, Shorobe Extension Area, Ngamiland was found to have 26 infected cattle out of a herd of 170.

Movement controls

Vaccination is taking place in response to the outbreaks, along with surveillance, movement controls and disinfection.

The disease report claims the infection could have spread via the illegal movement of animals or contact with wild species.