Recent suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) among livestock in northeastern Botswana have subsequently been confirmed positive. New suspected cases are now being investigated. Botswana has begun vaccinating livestock in the affected areas.

By Lloyd Phillips, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

The country’s Ministry of Lands and Agriculture (MoLA) confirmed on Monday that there is an outbreak of FMD at the Jackalas No. 1 village livestock crush in the Tsamaya Extension Area of Botswana’s North East District. This village crush falls within the country’s Disease Control Zone (DCZ) 6B.

“In addition, ongoing disease surveillance has detected suspected cases of FMD at the Moroka and Kgari village crushes in the neighbouring DCZ 3C, also within North East District. Further investigations are ongoing,” MoLA’s latest statement says.

African Farming recently reported that the Jackalas No. 1 village livestock crush lies across the Ramokgwebana River from Zimbabwe’s Mangwe District, which also recently reported confirmed cases of FMD among its own livestock.

The Moroka and Kgari villages lie close to the Jackalas No. 1 area.

MoLA continues: “To prevent the spread of [FMD] infection, vaccination will be carried out in DCZ 6B and DCZ 3C, starting 3 February 2026.”

Botswana reportedly maintains 14 DCZs and numerous sub-DCZs separated by lengthy cordon fences that are intended to protect the country’s internationally recognised FMD-free without vaccination status. How the recent confirmed outbreak and subsequent vaccination programme may impact this status is unknown at this stage.

Also read: Botswana announces prohibitions following suspected FMD cases

Even Stricter Disease Control Measures

Meanwhile, MoLA has announced even more stringent disease prevention measures following the recent confirmed and suspected cases.

“[Measures] announced in the statement of 28 January 2026 remain in place until further notice. Additional prevention measures now include the prohibition of the transportation, movement or slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals, including those intended for personal consumption or social events such as weddings, funerals, megoga (remembrance rituals) and others, countrywide except in DCZ 1 (Chobe) and DCZ 2 (Ngamiland).”

The latter DCZs are already classified as endemic for/infected with FMD because they contain large populations of free-roaming wildlife, particularly African buffalo, which are natural carriers of the FMD virus.

MoLA is urging all Botswana’s livestock owners and farmers to cooperate fully with the government officials conducting disease surveillance nationwide and with those implementing the FMD vaccination programmes in the affected DCZs.

The ministry also reminds all persons within Botswana to strictly comply with all the mandatory disease prevention measures and to immediately report any signs of illness in livestock to the nearest department of veterinary services or police officer.