Treatments and Prevention Health & Disease

Foot and Mouth Disease Erupts in Botswana

BOTSWANA – Foot and mouth disease (FMD) has been confirmed in 30 cattle in a large communal herd in northern Botswana after routine vaccinations were missed.

31 October 2014

1 minute read

Africa

Reasons for the outbreak were attributed to ‘wild species’, passing an as yet unknown serotype of the disease to cattle that had missed their routine vaccination due to inclement weather.

A World Organisation for Animal Health spokesperson said: “This suspect herd missed routine vaccination in August due to cut off access by flooding.

“Investigation revealed clinical signs consistent with FMD.”

Over 1400 cattle graze in the central Ngamiland region, all of which are ‘susceptible’ to the outbreak.

Veterinarians previously confirmed a FMD case in this region back in May this year.

Movement restrictions, control of wildlife reservoirs and zoning have been applied with a round of vaccinations to follow.