Qacha’s Nek, May.21— Alarm is growing in Qacha’s Nek following a deadly outbreak of African Horse Sickness (AHS) that has already claimed the lives of more than 30 horses across the district, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN).
The first case was recorded during the second week of April in Qhoalinyane, before the disease rapidly spread to several villages, including Tsoelike, Tereseng, Matebeng, Ha Mohlapiso and Liphakoeng.
MAFSN District Agricultural Officer (DAO) Mrs. Nyakallo Pokocho expressed deep concern over the situation, saying the veterinary officials are struggling to collect samples because many horses die before officers arrive on site.
“The situation is very worrying. We need to be more cautious than before for our own benefit and for our children,” she said.
District Veterinary Officer Dr. Bokang Lefa confirmed that the disease is proving extremely deadly, with survival rates remaining very low.
“Unfortunately, by the time the signs appear, the horse is often already dying. It is rare for them to survive. About 95 percent of infected horses die,” he said.
Dr. Lefa revealed that in one shocking incident in Matebeng, a horse collapsed and died while it was still being ridden.
He explained that prevention remains the only effective defence against the disease. “It is not often that seeing the signs will help you cure it. Prevention is the key, especially limiting horse movement,” he said.
According to Dr. Lefa, AHS is already widespread in both the district and the country. He noted that horses were previously vaccinated against the disease, but vaccination programs were discontinued after priorities shifted.
“Authorities are now intensifying response efforts and have already engaged national leadership to contain the outbreak,” he said adding “We recently held a meeting with the Prime Minister to map a way forward. Samples are being collected, and laboratories have already advised us on the type of specimens needed to confirm the disease and guide intervention.”
Dr. Lefa explained that AHS affects either the respiratory or cardiovascular systems and is spread by biting insects. He urged horse owners to use insect repellents as a temporary protective measure. Common symptoms include fever, weakness, loss of appetite, discharge from the nose, and frothing from the mouth.
Horse owners have also been urged to report symptoms immediately. “If a horse appears weak, stops eating, or shows unusual signs, owners should consult veterinary services without delay. Early detection may help us manage the situation, even without vaccines,” Dr. Lefa said.
He added that identifying the exact virus strain through laboratory testing will help guide vaccine development and government intervention. However, response efforts continue to face major challenges, including delayed reporting and unsafe handling of dead animals.
“We often receive reports too late, after the horse has already died. In some cases, animals are slaughtered and eaten before samples can be collected,” he said.
Dr. Lefa further explained that samples must be transported through South Africa to Botswana for testing, a process that is costly and logistically difficult. He strongly warned the public against consuming horses that die from unknown causes.
“It is not safe to eat animals that have died unexpectedly. Although AHS does not commonly infect humans, the exact cause of death must always be confirmed before any meat is declared safe,” he warned.
As fear spreads among horse owners and rural communities that depend heavily on horses for transport and livelihoods, authorities are racing against time to contain the outbreak before more animals are lost.
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