Breaking News: FMD surveillance and vaccination continue

JustIN: The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in the ||Kharas Region remains confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District, with 18 farms infected and 131 positive cases recorded as of 28 October 2026.

In an update on the ongoing outbreaks in the ||Kharas and Zambezi regions, Romeo Muyunda, Deputy Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, said the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) continued to implement surveillance, vaccination and livestock movement controls to contain the disease.

“FMD, serotype SAT 1, was first confirmed in ||Kharas on 23 September, while the outbreak in the Zambezi Region was confirmed on Kalala Island on 6 October,” he stated.

According to Muyunda, surveillance and trace-back and trace-forward investigations in ||Kharas are continuing through the Namibia Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS), alongside restrictions on the movement of livestock and animal products.

The compulsory FMD vaccination campaign in ||Kharas began on 17 October, with 19 teams deployed to vaccinate approximately 13 000 cattle.

According to Muyunda, 7 402 cattle across 81 farms had been vaccinated by 28 October.

“The campaign targets farms and establishments south of the B3 road, between Ariamsvlei and Grünau, as well as the C10 road leading to Ai-Ais and extending towards the Orange River. A buffer area covering two farms north of the B3 road is also included,” he said.

He said that surveillance had meanwhile shifted towards areas north of the B3 road following the start of compulsory vaccination. The second round of inspections has begun, with 10 farms inspected and sampled so far.

He said that 18 stationary roadblocks and veterinary checkpoints remain operational across ||Kharas, Hardap, Khomas and Otjozondjupa to enforce livestock movement restrictions.

ZAMBEZI OUTBREAK REMAINS CONFINED TO KALALA ISLAND

In the Zambezi Region, FMD was confirmed on Kalala Island on 6 October. Muyunda said vaccination and surveillance measures were continuing to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread beyond the designated Disease Management Area (DMA).

“By 28 October, 53,913 cattle had been vaccinated across 37 crush pens within a 30-kilometre radius of the affected area, including surrounding areas,” Muyunda said.

The ministry reported no new cases outside the designated DMA, adding that the outbreak remained confined to Kalala Island.

Muyunda stated that roadblocks at Luhonono and Nakabolelwa are operational and jointly manned by veterinary officials and the Namibian Police Force to enforce livestock movement restrictions.

MEAT MOVEMENT RULES REMAIN IN FORCE

According to Muyunda, the ministry has reiterated that livestock owners, traders and consumers must comply with veterinary requirements governing the movement of animals, meat and other animal products.

“North of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF), the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products remains permitted under existing rules, except in the Zambezi Region, where specific restrictions apply,” Muyunda said.

He explained that in ||Kharas, raw meat and animal products originating from registered facilities outside the region may be transported to retailers or for personal consumption, provided the required supporting documentation accompanies them.

However he did emphasize that the movement of raw meat and animal products originating from butcheries, abattoirs, slaughterhouses, informal slaughter slabs and cold storage facilities within ||Kharas remains restricted.

“Consumers who purchase meat from retailers in the region may transport it for personal consumption if they retain proof of purchase. The movement of registered processed animal feed into and within the region is also permitted, subject to proof of purchase,” he said.

“Further restrictions apply to slaughtering and livestock movements south of the VCF. Animals held at registered feedlots and quarantine facilities may be moved directly to registered abattoirs under specified conditions, including biosecurity requirements, traceability checks and negative FMD test results,” he added.

Muyunda mentioned that slaughtering animals on farms or homesteads for commercial sale remains prohibited until further notice. Slaughter for household consumption is permitted, but the resulting meat and meat products may not be transported away from the premises.

“Commercially produced cooked and processed meat products, biltong, droëwors and pasteurised milk products from registered facilities may continue to move and be traded countrywide, subject to applicable veterinary requirements,” he stated.

PUBLIC URGED TO REPORT SUSPECTED CASES

The ministry has called on farmers, livestock industry stakeholders and members of the public to comply with veterinary directives and report suspected infections or unauthorised movements of livestock and animal products to the nearest district State Veterinary Office.

Muyunda also encouraged communities to participate in farmer information sessions and public engagement initiatives to strengthen awareness and compliance.

Muyunda said the ministry would continue implementing surveillance, vaccination and movement controls to contain the outbreaks and prevent further transmission. The ministry urged the media to work closely with the Directorate of Veterinary Services to ensure accurate and timely information reaches the public.

Report: Josa Markowitz

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