Namibia Vaccinates 61,315 Cattle To Date

Namibia has this far vaccinated 61,315 cattle against the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the //Kharas and Zambezi regions with the aim of containing the disease.

At the same time livestock movement restrictions remain in place to prevent the spread of the disease.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Ministry of Agriculture reported that 7,402 cattle had been vaccinated across 81 farms in //Kharas, while 53,913 cattle had been vaccinated across 37 crush pens in Zambezi.

According to research, the restrictions have implications for livestock farmers, abattoirs, butcheries and other businesses that depend on the movement and sale of animals and animal products.

In areas south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, commercial slaughtering at farms and homesteads remains prohibited until further notice.

The ministry said the //Kharas outbreak, first confirmed on in September, remained confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District, with 131 positive cases recorded across 18 infected farms.

In Zambezi, where FMD was confirmed on Kalala Island in October, the ministry reported that no new cases have been recorded outside the designated Disease Management Area. Vaccination, surveillance and livestock movement controls remain in place.

To strengthen disease prevention, 19 vaccination teams have been deployed in //Kharas to vaccinate approximately 13,000 cattle. The ministry also reported that 18 stationary roadblocks and veterinary checkpoints remain operational across //Kharas, Hardap, Khomas and Otjozondjupa.

Speaking during a public update, the ministry`a spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda stressed the importance of cooperation in restoring livestock trade.

“The earlier we cooperate, the earlier we work together is the earlier that we are going to have our country open for trade and open for movement of our livestock and livestock products,” Muyunda said.

Although certain trade remains permitted under veterinary conditions, the movement of raw meat and animal products from specified facilities within //Kharas remains restricted. The ministry has allowed the movement of qualifying processed meat products from registered facilities, subject to applicable veterinary requirements.

The duration of the restrictions and the effectiveness of the vaccination and surveillance measures will be important for farmers and businesses seeking to resume affected trading activities.

The ministry urged farmers, livestock industry stakeholders and members of the public to comply with veterinary directives and report suspected FMD cases or unauthorised livestock movements to the nearest district State Veterinary Office.