News Date : 13 August, 2026
BEEF MEASLES IN KGATLENG: A HIDDEN THREAT THAT REQUIRES A ONE HEALTH APPROACH
A cow can look perfectly healthy, yet its meat may tell a different story.
Beef measles has become a growing concern in the Kgatleng District, with the Mochudi cluster recording the highest prevalence, followed by Atesia, Bokaa and Mathubudukwane.
Recently, BUAN through capacitating One health in Easten and Southren Africa (COHESA ) has been conducting farmer workshops across Kgatleng to create awareness about beef measles, its causes, prevention and the role that farmers and communities can play in addressing the problem. During one of the engagements, Prof Flora Pule-Meulenberg shared important information with farmers about this often hidden challenge.
THE CHALLENGE: YOU MAY NOT SEE IT
One of the biggest challenges with beef measles is that an infected animal can look completely healthy.
Unlike diseases that may cause visible signs such as weakness, loss of appetite or changes in behaviour, cattle infected with beef measles generally do not show obvious signs or symptoms while they are alive.
In many cases, the infection is only discovered after the animal has been slaughtered, when the carcass is inspected at the abattoir.
Beef measles is caused by the larval stage of a tapeworm known as Taenia saginata. Cattle become infected when they consume food or water contaminated with the parasite’s eggs. These eggs can develop into small cysts in the muscles of the animal.
There is no treatment that farmers can use to cure beef measles in an infected animal, making prevention and breaking the transmission cycle extremely important.
WHY IS THIS A ONE HEALTH ISSUE?
Beef measles goes beyond the farm.
It is a One Health issue because the health of people, animals and the environment are closely connected.
The cycle can begin when a person carrying the adult tapeworm passes its eggs through human faeces. When proper sanitation is not practised, human waste can contaminate grazing areas, fields or water sources.
Cattle grazing in these areas or drinking contaminated water can ingest the parasite’s eggs and become infected.
The cycle can then return to humans when infected beef is eaten raw or insufficiently cooked, allowing the parasite to develop in the human intestine.
This shows why addressing beef measles cannot be the responsibility of farmers alone.
What happens in our communities can affect our livestock. What happens to our livestock can affect the food we eat. And what we do to our environment can affect both.
FARMERS HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY BUT WE ALL DO
During the workshops, farmers shared practical suggestions on how the community can work together to tackle the problem.
Some of the proposed interventions include:
More farmer awareness campaigns -Take information directly to farmers and communities.
Use social media and farmers’ groups - Share accurate information through WhatsApp groups, Facebook and other platforms to reach more people.
Educate children from a young age -Introduce awareness programmes in primary schools so that children learn about sanitation, livestock health and food safety early.
Work with village leadership and committees - Involve dikgosi, village leadership and community structures in spreading awareness and encouraging proper sanitation practices.
Put up awareness signboards -Place educational messages at strategic points around communities and farming areas.
Protect water and grazing areas - Prevent human waste from contaminating areas where livestock feed and drink.
Ensure proper meat inspection - Animals should be slaughtered through approved facilities where meat can be properly inspected.
Cook beef thoroughly - Consumers should ensure that beef is properly cooked before eating.
THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE
Beef measles may be hidden, but the solution starts with awareness.
Farmers, consumers, parents, children, community leaders, animal health professionals and environmental health stakeholders all have a role to play.
By working together, we can break the cycle of infection and protect our livestock, our food and our communities.
One Health means one shared responsibility protecting the health of people, animals and the environment.