Namibia acts to contain a new outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the northern regions

Namibia has banned the movement of live cloven-hoofed animals in and out of areas where new cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have been confirmed and nearby “disease management areas” in northern parts of the country.

New cases of FMD were detected in Okadhiya crush-pen in Okatjali district of Oshana region on January 6 and in Ombambi crush-pen of Okongo district in Ohangwena region on December 28, 2020, the Directorate of Veterinary Services, under the Ministry of Agriculture, said on Wednesday.

Both incidences were confirmed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek, said Chief Veterinarian Albertina Musilika-Shilongo.

“Aside from the Olukonda constituency, which has been declared an infected area, the Okatjali and Okongo constituencies are now also in the same category,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Oshana, Omusati and Kunene North regions have also been designated as disease management areas.

All previously issued permits to enter, in and out of the set of these areas are canceled and withdrawn, said Musilika-Shilongo.

“Foot-and-mouth disease surveillance has been intensified to establish the scope of the outbreak in all the regions mentioned and farmers are requested to take their animals for inspection to the nearest grinding pen whenever announcements are made by veterinary officials.” , said.

Musilika-Shilongo urged farmers and the general public to report suspicious movements of livestock and suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease to contain the disease. Final product