Botswana has revised its Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) control measures after veterinary surveillance confirmed that the latest outbreak remains confined to disease control zones 3c and 6b, according to the acting Director of Veterinary Services, Kobedi Segale.
The official said on Tuesday that the second round of cattle vaccinations in the affected zones was completed on 18 March, allowing authorities to adjust movement restrictions imposed earlier in the month.
While movement of cloven‑hooved animals into, out of, and within zones 3c and 6b remains prohibited, Botswana has eased some controls in surrounding areas.
Movement for direct slaughter is now permitted in zone 6a, except within a 20‑kilometre radius of the outbreak zones, and slaughter for social events is allowed only at registered facilities.
Authorities have also authorised limited movement of live animals for direct slaughter from several zones, including 4a, 4b, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 into zones 7 and 3b under veterinary permit.
Fresh meat and milk movements have been selectively relaxed although products from zones 3c, 6b and 7 remain restricted due to ongoing disease containment measures.
Transit of fresh products through affected zones is allowed only in sealed containers under permit, and movement of livestock feeds, skins, trophies and hooves from zones 6a, 6b and 3c remains largely prohibited.
The update follows weeks of monitoring after FMD was first detected in late January in the North-East District, with confirmed cases in several crushes in zone 3c and earlier cases in neighbouring zone 6b.
The outbreak has already had international repercussions.
The European Union, EU, had suspended beef imports from Botswana’s Maitengwe zone (3c) in February after confirming multiple FMD cases, citing heightened risk to EU livestock.
Botswana’s Veterinary Authorities continue to monitor the situation and urge farmers to comply with all disease‑control protocols as efforts to contain the outbreak continue.
AP