# Economic Impact of Malignant Catarrhal Fever on Cattle Production in Lephalale Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa

## TL;DR

This study estimates the economic losses from malignant catarrhal fever in cattle near wildlife areas in South Africa, showing high costs due to deaths and reduced productivity.

## Contribution

The study provides the first detailed economic analysis of MCF's impact on cattle production in South Africa's wildlife-livestock interface areas.

## Key findings

- MCF caused R 1.55 million in economic losses over 21 years, with mortality accounting for over 90% of total losses.
- Outbreaks occurred most frequently near wildlife areas and during spring and winter.
- Despite declining cases, MCF still causes severe financial shocks for farmers in affected regions.

## Abstract

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a deadly cattle disease that often occurs where livestock and wildlife share grazing areas. In South Africa, farmers living near conservation zones are especially vulnerable, yet the financial impact of the disease is not well understood. This study examined 21 years of data (2001–2021) from Lephalale Municipality to estimate how much money farmers lose when MCF outbreaks occur. We calculated direct losses, such as cattle deaths and treatment costs, as well as indirect losses from reduced productivity and lower milk production. Our results show that MCF caused major economic damage, mainly because most infected cattle die. The losses were the highest in the areas closest to wildlife and during spring and winter. Although cases have declined over time, occasional outbreaks still create severe financial shocks for farmers. The findings highlight the need for stronger disease surveillance, better land-use planning, and long-term strategies to protect cattle in wildlife–livestock interface areas.

Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) is a highly lethal viral disease of cattle that poses a persistent threat to livestock production in wildlife–livestock interface areas of Southern Africa. Despite its recognized clinical severity, the economic burden of the disease remains poorly quantified in South African production systems. This study assessed the long-term economic impact of malignant catarrhal fever on cattle production in Lephalale Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa, using a retrospective analysis covering the period from 2001 to 2021. The study combined confirmed case records, estimated mortalities, and region-specific production parameters to quantify both direct and indirect economic losses. Direct losses included mortality-related financial costs and the expenditure on treatment, while indirect losses encompassed reduced productivity, diminished milk yields, and associated declines in overall herd performance. The results show that MCF imposed substantial financial burdens on cattle producers, with mortality contributing to more than ninety percent of total losses. The total economic losses over the study period were substantial, amounting to approximately R 1.55 million, driven primarily by high mortality-related costs. Annual losses displayed considerable variability, reflecting the sporadic nature of the outbreaks and the fluctuations in the wildlife–livestock interactions. The spatial analysis revealed that most cases occur in wards situated adjacent to wildlife conservation areas, where cattle are exposed to virus-carrying wildebeest populations. Seasonal patterns indicated a higher disease occurrence during the spring and winter, aligning with established transmission dynamics. Although a gradual decline in both cases and associated losses was observed over the study period, episodic outbreaks continued to exert significant economic shocks on affected farming households. The findings reaffirm MCF as a persistent and high-impact constraint to cattle production in interface zones and highlight the need for improved surveillance, integrated land-use planning, and sustained investment in targeted disease control measures.