North East cattle owners fear livestock sales could be affected as vaccine shortage disrupts disease control programme
SESUPO RANTSIMAKO
Farmers in North East Zone 3C and Zone 6B are raising alarm after the Botswana Vaccine Institute (BVI) reportedly ran out of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) booster vaccines, leaving thousands of cattle with only partial protection against the highly contagious disease.
The development has triggered anxiety among cattle owners who fear that failure to administer the crucial second dose could undermine disease control efforts and prevent them from selling their animals.
FARMERS FEAR INCREASED RISK
During an interview with The Botswana Gazette one of the affected farmers, Esman Monyere, said cattle in the area remain vulnerable because they received only the first dose of the vaccine.
Monyere said the situation is particularly worrying given the proximity of livestock to buffalo populations, which are known carriers of FMD, and because sections of the cordon fence separating wildlife from livestock have been damaged.
“Our cattle are at risk because they only received the first dose. The situation is made worse by the damaged cordon fence, which increases the risk of contact with wildlife,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of farmers in Maitengwe, councilor Mbi Witness Khanda said residents were worried about the implications of failing to complete the vaccination programme.
“We were only told that the vaccine is in short supply and that our cattle would not receive the booster dose,” Khanda said. “Farmers are concerned and want to know whether the booster dose will eventually be made available.”
PRODUCTION DISRUPTIONS BLAMED
Khanda said farmers had been informed that production disruptions at BVI were responsible for the shortage.
The development has raised questions about whether cattle that received only the initial dose will be adequately protected against FMD and whether they will be cleared for sale.
“We were expecting our cattle to receive the booster dose, but now we are being told there is no vaccine available. What worries us is that nobody is explaining what this means for our cattle,” Khanda added.
FEARS OVER LIVESTOCK SALES
The biggest concern among farmers is that cattle that have not completed the full vaccination schedule may fail to qualify for movement permits and market access.
Some fear they could be prevented from selling their cattle, potentially resulting in significant financial losses for livestock-dependent households.
Farmers say authorities have yet to provide clear guidance on the consequences of missing the booster dose and whether alternative arrangements are being considered.
INDUSTRY AT RISK
Farmers argue that FMD remains one of the most economically damaging livestock diseases and those disruptions in vaccine supply could undermine years of progress in controlling outbreaks.
By the time of going to press, Dr Bernard Mbeha, the National Coordinator for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), had not responded to questions from The Botswana Gazette regarding the vaccine shortage, its implications for affected cattle, and when booster doses would become available.