Beef measles on the increase in cattle

More than 70 cases of beef measles have been detected at Meatco since the beginning of this year.

Farmers have been warned to take proactive measures and prevent the number of cases from increasing so that it will not impact on the European market to which Namibia exports beef, and the livestock industry in general.

Spokesperson at Meatco, Rosa Thobias confirmed to Namibian Sun that the total number of beef measles that has been detected in cattle since January this year stands at 73 and poses a concern for the operations of the company.

Beef measles is a concern for Meatco because the affected meat is not accepted on the EU market, which is one of Namibia's most lucrative foreign markets. It is a food safety issue and its economic effects on the company could be considerable if not addressed.

Concerns have been raised about the amount of beef measles cases detected during slaughter operations.

Normally, the amount of beef measles cases detected would be about one or two cattle per week, but since operations began in January, there has been an average of seven animals diagnosed with measles every week.

Thobias however explained that the seven cattle are out of a total of 2 000 slaughtered per week, adding that the concern is the impact it could have on the EU market and in turn on Meatco if the cases keep increasing.

The company could not quantify the financial impact of the disease thus far.

“We want to maximise our profits and therefore we want a week where there is no cattle testing positive for measles. We want to maximise each cattle carcass that is coming through,” said Thobias.

There are generally two types of infestation of beef measles. Meat with low infestation levels is fit for frozen packaging, meaning the meat is frozen at -12 to -18 degrees to deactivate the parasite to make it fit for human consumption. However, a high infestation sometimes means that it is totally unfit for human consumption.

“It is not a disease caused by natural causes, it is caused by human intervention,” explained Thobias.

Measles is a parasitic disease caused by Cysticercus bovis, which is a cystic form of human tapeworm. There are no visible outward signs of the disease and it is only detected after slaughter when the meat is inspected. Consequently, the meat cannot be sold.

“Even though Namibia has a low prevalence rate, the disease cannot be taken lightly as it can damage the livestock industry” says the company.

There are several actions that producers can take to reduce the risk of measles infection in cattle, especially with regards to animal husbandry.

Farmers are urged to try to avoid faecal contamination of cattle feed and grazing areas at all cost, meaning that farm workers and visitors must practice good hygiene by using toilets and avoid defecating in the bush.

Farmers are also advised to avoid grazing cattle in camps or pastures known to be infested with human waste. As a beef producer, it is important to implement, practice and adhere to good farming practices by taking precautions to limit exposure to measles.

Consumers are encouraged to buy meat from registered butchers and abattoirs to ensure that the meat has been inspected and does not contain measles.

The majority of cases detected thus far are from Otjozondjupa, Omaheke and Khomas regions.

ELLANIE SMIT