Long-term surveillance remains critical priority for the Department of Veterinary Services as it grapples with a recent outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Jackalas No. 1.
Following the detection of the disease two weeks ago, the village has been declared a Red Zone, triggering rigorous monitoring and vaccination campaign.
In an interview, Principal Technical Officer, Mr Millan James, emphasised that the battle against FMD did not end with a single injection.
“Aft er vaccinations, surveillance exercises will continue to check for possible signs of FMD,” Mr James stated.
The department’s strategy hinges on a multi-year commitment, including continued monitoring, which would see surveillance extended to goats and other cloven-hoofed wildlife, such as kudu and impala, to ensure the virus was not circulating in other species.
The path to Green Status would succeed only if surveillance results eventually showed that FMD prevalence had ceased and the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture will apply to the World Organisati on for Animal Health (WOAH/OIE) for Green Status.
Achieving this status is the only way to lift current slaughter embargoes and return the zone to its original market standing.
Approximately 700 cattle were expected to be vaccinated in the initial phase.
Mr James explained that the 2-in-1 vaccine was designed to prevent infection and reduce the efficacy of the disease.
Mr James said vaccinated livestock would be marked with an ‘H’ brand on the right leg.
He added that a booster jab was scheduled for February 17 (14 days aft er the initial dose), with another booster expected toward the end of the year.
Furthermore, he said vaccination and surveillance may continue for up to three years, adding, if the virus persisted, the area may be classified as a permanent Red Zone, similar to the Okavango and Chobe regions.
He indicated that the recurrence of FMD had caused significant distress for Zone 6b farmers, many of whom were still recovering from the 2022 outbreak and subsequent restocking efforts in 2023/2024.
Farmers Committee chairperson, Mr Dignity Mtombeni, said he suspected that previous restocking may have occurred before the area was fully cleared.
Thus, he urged government to engage in bilateral talks with Zimbabwe to find a trans-border solution, suggesting a repeat of the 2008 exercise where Botswana vaccinated cattle within a 40km radius inside Zimbabwe.
Regarding the dilapidated border fence, Mr Mtombeni said they had volunteered to assist government, saying ‘Mophato or community regiments were ready to cut poles and maintain the fence if government provided the materials.”
Councillor for Jackalas No. 1/ Ramokgwebana, Mr Morapedi Mafohla, commended farmers for their cooperation during recent kgotla meetings.
While the situation was diffi cult, he noted that farmers were grateful that government opted for vaccination over depopulation and preserving their high-quality breeds.
Mr Mafohla urged all farmers to herd and kraal their cattle strictly to prevent mingling with potentially infected animals, stressing that community discipline was the first line of defense in the surveillance eff orts.
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