The disease, which is called 'Mabele' in Setswana, affects humans and cattle and is caused by a parasite scientifically known as Taenia Sacinata, a tapeworm that breeds in the intestines of infected humans.The parasite is transmitted to cattle after they have grazed on pastures contaminated by human stools. A vicious cycle ensues in which infected cattle infect people who have eaten the contaminated beef from the infected cattle.
Although the disease is not a public health threat, its economic effects on the beef industry could be catastrophic.
According to the BMC Handbook, both cattle and humans infected with the disease show little or no symptoms of ill health. Infected people will sometimes exhibit some abdominal pains, nausea and itchiness around the anus.
While the disease exists all over the world, Botswana is one of the countries that are badly affected by it, BMC says.The prevalence rate of measles in Botswana reportedly stands at 10 percent compared to other neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Namibia, which have a prevalence rate of only three percent.
