STAFF WRITER
Namibia has detected Foot and Mouth in the Zambezi region at a time when the country is dealing with an outbreak that originated from the Kiaras Region – usually regarded as a safe zone.
In a statement the released on Sunday the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform through the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) hereby informed farmers, livestock owners, stakeholders and the general public of the detection of Foot and Mouth Disease (FI\4D) at Kalala Island in Kabe constituency of Zambezi Region.
“On 5ft October 2026, DVS officials from Katima Mulilo State Veterinary Office conducted FMD investigations and observed a total of 20 cattle showing FMD clinical signs. Twelve (12) samples were collected and submitted to the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) in Windhoek on 6 October 2026 for diagnostic testing. All samples tested positive for Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus on the 7th October 2026,” the statement said.
The ministry said a contingency Plan has been activated with the aim of containing and controlling the outbreak.
Chief Veterinarian Kenneth Shoombe said intensive surveillance has already commenced to establish the full extent of the outbreak and the following control measures have been instituted with immediate effect.
The ministry’s measures said the measures include suspension of movement of all cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products in the entire Zambezi region.
“All issued permits are hereby cancelled Suspension of marketing and trade including all animal gathering events of all cloven-hoofed animals (auctions, informal markets, local abattoirs etc), “ the ministry said.
The ministry has also instituted an immediate halt to the slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals at local abattoirs, informal markets, and during social events.
“ Slaughter at export abattoir as part of Commodity-Based Trade is permitted following favorable traceability of cattle currently in quarantine. Setting roadblocks at strategic areas to enforce the movement restrictions of all cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products within the region, Emergency vaccination in the affected area has commenced,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle,sheep, goats, pigs and susceptible wild animals.
The disease is commonly characterised by the development of blisters (vesicles), sores and ulcers in and around the mouth and on the hooves, particularly in between.
Infected animals may be reluctant to move, exhibit excessive salivation and lose body condition.
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