Socio-ecological dynamics influence FMD control at wildlife-livestock interface

What is it about?

Current efforts to control and possibly eradicate the highly contagious and economically important Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) in Botswana are hampered by numerous inextricably linked constraints. Some of the most outstanding constraints in FMD control were (1) rampant cross-border livestock theft, (2) veterinary cordon fence damage attributed to illegal immigrants and an ever-increasing elephant population, (3) livestock interaction with FMD-susceptible wild ungulates on the same rangelands, and (4) an absence of a protection zone (formerly ‘buffer zone’) along the Botswana/Zimbabwean border as well as (5) general apathy towards daily livestock management demonstrated by some owners/herders. The paper further discusses these complex socio-ecological constraints as perceived by livestock owners and offers possible policy considerations including targeted FMD awareness campaigns, strengthening of FMD risk analysis capacity and synchronization of surveillance and control strategies among neighboring countries as well as adoption of approaches such as compartmentalization and commodity-based trade to enable greater access of Botswana’s beef to high-value international markets.

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Why is it important?

Occasional outbreak of trans-boundary FMD as well as the resultant economic cost and social disruption calls for a multifaceted approach. Research efforts have been directed more at the technical and less on the economical and social aspects of FMD outbreaks in Botswana, despite the recognized importance of community participation in veterinary service delivery in Africa. Only by appreciating agro-pastoralists’ perspective can a better understanding of FMD prevalence and persistence be realized and, in the same breath, its control and possible eradication from livestock regions of Botswana and southern Africa.

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