17 733 cattle vaccinated against FMD in 7 days

Veterinary authorities vaccinated an additional 17 733 cattle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the ǁKharas and Zambezi regions between 21 and 28 October, bringing the combined total to 61 315, according to figures released by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.Vaccinations in ǁKharas increased from 1 296 to 7 402 cattle during the seven days, while Zambezi recorded an increase from 42 286 to 53 913, as authorities intensified efforts to contain outbreaks in both regions.The increase comes as ǁKharas governor Dawid Gertze warns that FMD threatens Namibia's livestock trade, employment and farmers' livelihoods, with the government exploring alternative markets for livestock and meat products.Speaking at the opening of the Keetmanshoop Agricultural, Industrial and Tourism Expo, Gertze said the disease posed a threat extending beyond animal health.“We must confront the difficult circumstances facing our livestock sector as a result of the current FMD situation. It is a threat to our livelihoods, commercial activity, employment and the confidence upon which our livestock industry depends. "For Namibian farmers, livestock represents years of investment, a source of household income and an asset intended to sustain families across generations,” he said.Agriculture ministry deputy director Romeo Muyunda said 7 402 cattle had been vaccinated across 81 farms in ǁKharas by 28 October, compared with 1 296 reported a week earlier.The increase of 6 106 cattle follows the compulsory vaccination campaign launched on 17 October, with 19 teams deployed to vaccinate approximately 13 000 cattle. The latest figure represents about 57% of the intended coverage.The outbreak remained confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District, where 18 farms had been infected and 131 positive cases recorded since FMD serotype SAT 1 was first confirmed on 23 September.Vaccination covers farms south of the B3 road between Ariamsvlei and Grünau, extending towards Ai-Ais and the Orange River, with two farms north of the road included as a buffer area.Muyunda said surveillance had shifted north of the B3 road, where 10 farms had been inspected and sampled. Eighteen veterinary checkpoints remained operational across ǁKharas, Hardap, Khomas and Otjozondjupa.In Zambezi, vaccinations increased by 11,627 cattle, from 42,286 on 21 October to 53,913 by 28 October.Muyunda said the vaccinations had been conducted across 37 crush pens within a 30-kilometre radius of the affected area, including surrounding locations.The outbreak, confirmed on Kalala Island on 6 October, remained confined to the designated Disease Management Area, with no new cases reported outside it.Veterinary officials and police continued operating checkpoints at Luhonono and Nakabolelwa to enforce livestock movement restrictions.Zambezi accounted for approximately 66% of the additional cattle vaccinated across both regions during the seven days.Govt explores alternative marketsGertze said the government was exploring alternative trading partners to reduce pressure on livestock producers and diversify markets for Namibian livestock and meat products.“This is an important part of reducing the pressure on farmers and strengthening the resilience of our agricultural economy. Our objective is to identify commercially viable opportunities, expand our trading relationships and create additional avenues through which Namibian producers can reach domestic and international markets,” he said.However, the governor cautioned that securing alternative markets would not provide immediate relief because access depended on commercial negotiations, importing countries' requirements and confidence in Namibia's veterinary controls.“We remain hopeful that the circumstances will improve as effective control measures are implemented and opportunities for trade are developed. We cannot responsibly promise an immediate resolution or specify when every affected market will reopen,” Gertze said.He warned that animal disease outbreaks could disrupt trade and restrict market access, with consequences extending beyond farmers to businesses and communities dependent on agriculture.The ministry said livestock movement restrictions remained in place, while commercial slaughter on farms and homesteads in ǁKharas was prohibited until further notice. Slaughter for household consumption remained permitted, provided the meat was not transported from the premises.The movement of raw meat and animal products originating from butcheries, abattoirs, slaughterhouses and cold-storage facilities within ǁKharas also remained restricted.Commercially produced cooked and processed meat products, including biltong and droëwors, could continue to be traded countrywide under applicable veterinary requirements.Gertze urged farmers, traders and transport operators to comply with veterinary directives to protect unaffected areas and preserve market confidence.“No individual commercial interest should be allowed to undermine the collective effort to control the disease. Veterinary compliance is a regulatory obligation. It is an investment in protecting our livestock, preserving our markets and safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods,” he said.

17 733 cattle vaccinated against FMD in 7 days

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-29

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17 733 cattle vaccinated against FMD in 7 days

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-29

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