Modelling Foot and Mouth Disease risk factors in Botswana

Abstract

Various factors may contribute to the spread of an infectious transboundary disease such as FMD. Careful assessment of the risk of importing the virus in an area may help focus preventative measures. In the case of FMD two modes of transmission i.e. airborne and contact should be considered. To determine the likelihood of contact or airborne transmission of FMD into herds kept under communal livestock management practices in Botswana two models were developed. The outcome of the models showed that contact transmission is the most likely way of disease introduction and spread in the livestock herds of the communal areas of Botswana. Conditions favouring airborne transmission are not present.

Keywords

• Livestock, Foot and Mouth Disease, Southern Africa, Modelling, Risk factors
• Botswana