Staff Writer
Namibia has recorded 79 confirmed Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) cases across 11 farms in the Karasburg State Veterinary District, agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani said in an update issued on Saturday.
As of 2 October, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) had received 530 samples, of which 79 tested positive and 450 negative, while one sample remained unconfirmed.
The ministry said government will introduce vaccination of eligible livestock within the designated containment zone, alongside targeted culling, intensified surveillance and strict movement controls.
The DVS has deployed 13 surveillance teams, with 15 096 animals inspected and 66 of 81 targeted farms visited.
The outbreak has also resulted in the suspension of Namibia’s relevant FMD-free status, with implications for international livestock trade and market access.
Government has identified a N$190.18 million funding requirement for the critical containment response, including approximately N$47 million for about 290 kilometres of new disease-control fencing from Ariamsvlei through Karasburg to Ai-Ais.
Farmers and other livestock stakeholders have been urged to comply with quarantine and movement restrictions and to coordinate all disease-control interventions with veterinary authorities.
Photo: Contributed
#WindhoekObserver
