Mohale FM
The Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Thabo Mofosi has confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease, raising concerns about cross-border transmission from neighbouring South Africa.
Mofosi announced at a press conference in Maseru that the disease was first detected last month at Letlapeng in Qachas’nek, where two of six symptomatic cattle tested positive. In Butha-Buthe, six of 17 cattle showing symptoms were confirmed infected.
The outbreak was identified during veterinary inspections linked to an existing lumpy skin disease outbreak. Affected areas have since been placed under strict monitoring.
Senior Superintendent Boipuso Monne of the police anti-stock theft unit urged the public to stop moving livestock through illegal routes, warning that this could accelerate the disease’s spread across borders.
Meanwhile, the Director of Veterinary Field Operations, Mookho Ntiea, emphasized that foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious and has no cure, as it is caused by a virus. She said authorities had already implemented preventive measures and had been preparing for a potential outbreak after cases emerged in South Africa.
