Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has issued a public notification regarding an outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in the Otjituuo and Okamatapati areas of the Okakarara State Veterinary District, Otjozondjupa Region.
Dr Johannes Shoopala, Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, at the ministry, said in the notification that eight cattle from various villages have been affected by this vector-borne disease.
Lumpy Skin Disease is an infectious and occasionally fatal disease of cattle, characterized by nodules on the skin and other parts of the body.
It is typically transmitted through insect bites.
Farmers in the affected areas are advised to vaccinate their healthy cattle and implement vector control measures to prevent further spread.
Infected cattle are treated with vitamins, anti-inflammatory drugs, and antibiotics to manage secondary bacterial infections.
Shoopala said that in order to safeguard Namibia’s meat industry and protect the interests of trading partners, the Directorate of Veterinary Services has instituted controlled movements of cattle in the affected villages, in accordance with the Animal Health Act of 2011.
Measures instituted to curb the spread are relevant to cattle moving from affected villages must be free of clinical signs and vaccinated at least 21 days before movement and cattle moving into affected villages must also be vaccinated at least 21 days before movement.
These measures do not apply to clinically healthy cattle destined for direct slaughter.
Shoopala stressed the importance of farmers’ cooperation to ensure a swift return to normal farming operations in the area.
He urged all farmers to adhere to the guidelines and take necessary precautions to mitigate the outbreak.
Shoopala added that the ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely and will provide updates as necessary to ensure the health and safety of the cattle and the farming community.
