It would seem that when it rains it pours for Ngamiland cattle farmers – after a few weeks of being hit by fresh Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in September, they now have to contend with a possible anthrax infection to their cattle. Anthrax has been detected in dead hippos floating in the Okavango River after a number of them were suspected to have been killed by the disease in neighboring Namibia. “Fortunately, we have been able to contain the disease so far. We continue to remove the dead infected animals and bury them immediately to avoid a contact with either human beings or animals,” said the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Letlhogile Modisa. According to Dr Modisa, Anthrax is a very dangerous disease which can affect both human beings and animals including cattle. He said that although they have not detected any signs of infection in animals (cattle) in Botswana his department is not taking any chances and has since halted cattle slaughter and movement in areas along the Okavango River and have also started administering Anthrax preventative vaccine to cattle. “People in affected areas have been advised to source beef from surrounding areas within Ngamiland until further notice,”…