FMD in Botswana: ‘Shoot, burn and bury’ policy as outbreaks confirmed in 24 locations

Botswana appears to be making both gains and losses with its own fight against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). New outbreaks are on the rise, whereas earlier outbreaks seem increasingly under control. Meanwhile, livestock straying over Botswana’s borders risk being shot, burned and buried.

By Lloyd Phillips, senior journalist at African Farming and Landbouweekblad

Botswana’s Ministry of Lands and Agriculture (MoLA) has now confirmed outbreaks of FMD in at least 24 locations.

Dr Kobedi Segale, director of MoLA’s veterinary services, said in a statement recently that these outbreaks are at 12 independent crushes, six communal crushes, four farms and two feedlots.

Botswana’s initial outbreaks in late January and early February in its disease control zones 3c and 6b along the country’s eastern border with Zimbabwe have reportedly been confined there. Whereas some cattle in these zones are receiving their first dose of FMD vaccine, others there have already received their third.

Cattle along the borders of disease control zones adjacent to zones 3c and 6b have reportedly also been vaccinated to act as a buffer to hopefully help contain the spread.

Outbreaks have been confirmed in 12 locations within zones 3c and 6b to date.

Also read: Botswana investigates FMD extortion threats while SAT1 strain shows unprecedented international spread

Zone 11 Now Has 12 Outbreaks

The locations of confirmed outbreaks in zone 11 in Botswana’s south, which borders South Africa, now also stand at 12 so far. The initial outbreak there was confirmed at the beginning of April at the Ramatlabama National Artificial Insemination Laboratory & Training Centre (NAIL) in the Goodhope District.

The NAIL facility is located close to South Africa, which is experiencing an unprecedented FMD epidemic. Botswana’s authorities have not indicated how FMD might have entered NAIL and other areas in zone 11. However, illegal livestock movements and both legal and illegal human movements across the Botswana/South Africa border cannot be ruled out as a potential origin.

Meanwhile, Botswana continues to implement and enforce a constantly evolving string of efforts aimed at containing and eradicating FMD in zone 11, and at preventing its potential spread beyond this zone.

“FMD prevention and control measures that include emergency vaccination, biosecurity, movement controls, surveillance and the establishment of a containment zone continue to be implemented in zones 11, 12 and 13 to contain and determine the extent of the disease,” said Dr Segale.

Foot-and-mouth disease has now been confirmed in 24 locations in Botswana’s disease control zones 3c, 6b and 11. Major restrictions are in force in zones 13 and 12 to hopefully prevent the virus also reaching there. Map: Botswana Ministry of Lands and Agriculture

African Farming is unaware of any FMD outbreaks in zones 13 and 12, which lie immediately west and north-west of zone 11 respectively. As we understand it, efforts are intended to hopefully protect zones 13 and 12 from the FMD already in zone 11.

Dr Edwin Dikoloti, acting minister of MoLA, recently told a meeting of stakeholders in Botswana’s Mahalapye District: “Containment depends on discipline. Strict adherence to veterinary protocols is not optional, it is essential to protecting the country’s livestock industry and the economy it supports.

“Any lapse could undo the progress made so far.”

Also read: Botswana’s FMD starting to run away from authorities

Problematic Porous Borders

Botswana’s FMD outbreaks have already resulted in valuable export markets for the country’s beef and other meat products, such as the European Union, suspending any further imports of these products.

In further efforts to fight FMD, Botswana’s animal health authorities are reportedly maintaining their policy of euthanising, burning and burying any livestock that illegally enter the country. This includes livestock that leave Botswana and then cross back into the country.

Many sections of Botswana’s extensive borders are reportedly porous and are therefore easily crossable by both man and beast.

Botswana’s livestock owners who repeatedly allow their animals to stray out of and then back into Botswana will reportedly be compensated only R30 for each goat that must be shot, burned and buried to protect against FMD. Photo: Facebook/Botswana Daily News

Earlier this year, Kabelo Ebineng, the former permanent secretary of MoLA, publicly announced: “FMD control measures will include destroying animals from Botswana that cross over to South Africa, where the disease has been detected.

“Farmers whose livestock will be destroyed will receive P700 (approximately R850) compensation per cow and P200 (approximately R243) for a goat, while repeat offenders will only be entitled to P200 (approximately R243) compensation for a cow and P25 (approximately R30) per goat.”

Although official figures are difficult to come by, an internet search by African Farming estimates that between 150 and 300 such livestock may have been “shot, burned and buried” this year so far.