Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has lifted all restrictions previously imposed following an outbreak of lung sickness in cattle in the Opuwo State Veterinary District of the Kunene region.
The chief veterinary officer at the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Johannes Shoopala, said in a statement released on Friday that the decision follows the successful containment and management of the disease by the directorate.
According to Shoopala, the outbreak, which was first reported on 1 July in a herd of cattle at Okapundja village, prompted immediate and effective action.
“The Directorate of Veterinary Services swiftly responded by vaccinating 1,238 cattle across 14 crush pens to prevent the spread of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), more commonly known as lung sickness,” he said.
To stop further transmission, the nine cattle that tested positive for the disease underwent successful slaughter in addition to vaccinations.
“No new cases were reported outside the initially affected herd, allowing the DVS to lift all restrictions imposed due to the outbreak,” Shoopala said.
Despite this positive development, Shoopala cautioned farmers that other disease control measures will remain in place.
“Farmers are legally required to report any suspicious cases of lung sickness to the nearest state veterinary office to ensure continued vigilance against the disease,” he said.
Shoopala extended the DVS’s gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the containment efforts, including the farmers, the Namibian Police, and the dedicated staff of the Directorate of Veterinary Services. Their cooperation and assistance were pivotal in successfully managing the outbreak.
He said that the lifting of restrictions is a positive step in returning to normalcy for cattle farmers in the region.
“Ongoing vigilance remains essential to prevent future outbreaks,” Shoopala warned.
