Borne - tick an existential threat for Ngami, Okavango
Investigation to characterise infestation, incidence of the diseases, undergoing As the Agric Ministry differs with farmers on reported cases Not all mortalities are caused by tick infestations; others are effects of drought and liver fluke- Molebatsi
Eastern Okavango, Ngamiland communities are worried that if not properly managed, the sporadic outbreak of the “Be- Mobile tick” or Borne tick will wipe out their cattle and impoverish them.
Borne tick and Dermatophylosis provide significant marketing and social problems that affect Ngamiland’s economy, house income and quality of life. However, government has mobilised resources and a team of experts to contain the situation and has started Investigations in other parts to characterise the infestation levels and incidence of the borne- tick disease and secondary infection such as Dermatophylosis. While tick infestations in Gumare/ Tubu area are low, infestation in the eastern parts are significant in Eretsha and Beetsha. The Okavango sub- district experienced an outbreak of tick infestation in the Gumare/ Tubu area in 2016. However, farmers report tick sightings as far back as 2015. Since then the infestation has spread to the eastern parts of the delta including Beetsha, Eretsha, Gunotsoga and Shorobe. Assistant Minister of Agriculture Molebatsi Molebatsi says his Ministry has secured three mobile spray races for use in tick control in the affected areas. In addition, farmers are assisted with dips and antibiotic treatments. Treatment for Dermatophylosis and the Bont tick ( Ambylomma Species) dipping was last conducted in August 2022 at Beetsha and Eretsha.
A total of 1057 cattle were dipped at intervals of 2 to 3 weeks over 50 days. During the same period, 308 cattle were treated for Dermatophylosis at Beetsha and Eretsha. Member of Parliament for Okavango Kenny Kapinga had asked Molebatsi to update the house on the current state of infestations of the “be Mobile tick” on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta, especially in Beetsha, Eretsha and Gunotsoga areas, to say what efforts his Ministry has made to assist in the eradication of the tick through cattle dipping or spraying, and how many cattle have been lost to disease caused by the tick and if he would consider the erection of communal dipping bays in the affected areas in consideration of the inability by individual farmers to dip their cattle regularly.
Molebatsi answered that the dipping programme in the most affected areas of Beetsha and Eretsha will run from 28th of November to December 2022 until the problem is under control and farmers are able to sustain dipping. He said records show that only 32 cattle have died reportedly due to tick infestation and related complications since February 2021. However, this figure may be higher as some mortalities may go unreported. He said his Ministry is not considering construction of dips tanks or communal dipping bays due to among others, cost implications. It is far more cost effective to use spray races and they are mobile and can be shared by several villages, Molebatsi said. “Therefore, my Ministry shall continue monitoring the usage of the three mobile spray and races will increase them if necessary”.
In an interview with Botswana Guardian, Molebatsi said that a series of meetings have been held since November to address Shorobe Farmers Committee as well as conducting mini campaigns.
He admitted that Bont tick Dermatophylosis are in the rise in Tubu, Nokaneng, Beetsha, and Shorobe extension areas and a total of 23 crushes have been affected in the district. An estimated herd of 7406 is expected to be covered from the Shorobe/ Beetsha extension areas which covers 24 Crushes from villages such as Gabamocha, Nxabe Dubulani, Twene Sauze, Sekapane, Jungwe, Mathapelo, Jungwe, Eretsha and Ndorotsha. Molebatsi says a mini campaign was conducted in August 2022 in the areas of Beetsha where 710 cattle were expected, with 492 having been dipped and 43 treated, while in Eretsha 500 were expected 496 dipped and 109 were treated.
In Jungwe 1000 were expected 486 dipped and 191 treated. There was poor turn- up during the first round of Bont tick dipping, and as such dipping weas rescheduled and that is when they managed to bring all cattle. All cattle treated will receive second treatment. Molebatsi said during the FMD vaccination campaign, farmers in Shakawe ( Beetsha and Eretsha), Gumare, Tubu, Nokaneng sub district reported unconfirmed fatalities of borne tick illness.
Due to inadequate grazing and poor grazing in the affected areas, some of the reported fatalities may be attributable to the drought and other factors. Verification of reported death is still being done in the impacted areas, and it will be done during the dipping exercise that will be carried out. He said the department will continue addressing farmers about the problem in the affected area between November and December 2022 while Kgotla meetings are addressed in order to increase coverage of farmers. In addition, movement restrictions of livestock have been imposed to limit the spread of disease. Farmers education will continue to urge them to improve herd management, and domestic and wild animals to determine extent of the spread.
Challenges in combating the tick disease include shortage of transport, reluctance of farmers to sustain dipping or animals and Liver fluke infestation which is common in cattle drinking in swampy water.