FMD: Namibia on high alert

With ongoing outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in neighbouring South Africa (SA), Namibia’s Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has intensified border control and strengthened biosecurity measures to protect the country’s livestock and maintain its FMD-free status.

This situation creates an emergency, requiring Namibian farmers and the public to remain vigilant to prevent the disease from entering Namibia, the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) warned in their its newsletter.

What exactly is foot-and-mouth disease and why should it matter to us?

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and even some wildlife. It causes fever and painful blisters in the mouth and on the limbs, making it difficult for animals to eat or walk. Therefore, FMD poses a threat to Namibian food production.

According to the NAU, FMD also severely disrupts trade and drains national economies. Namibia has successfully established and maintained an FMD-free zone without vaccination, which has been officially recognised by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) since 1997.

“Losing its FMD-free status would immediately close Namibia's access to high-value export markets, potentially reducing meat export revenue by millions of Namibia dollars, leading to an oversupply of meat and driving prices down, which could devastate the livestock sector,” the NAU said.

Namibia exports approximately 70% of its meat production.

“In the event of an outbreak, the country will face massive management costs, such as culling, control, and likely a long period of rebuilding trust and market access. With about 70% of all Namibians dependent on agriculture, jobs for Namibians will also be severely affected, and the rural economy could be driven to its knees,” warns the NAU.

Highly contagious

The virus clings to almost anything: clothes, shoes, vehicles, tools, animal feed, and even water. People can carry the virus on their skin or in their nasal passages for over 24 hours and accidentally spread it. The virus can survive for weeks in the environment, depending on various factors like temperature, humidity, pH, and the type of material it contacts. Cool, humid conditions are most favourable for the virus. The virus spreads rapidly between animals.

What is the biggest risk for Namibia?

• Vehicles, people, and goods that came into contact with infected livestock in SA before travelling to Namibia;

• Livestock transport trucks and drivers

• Unprocessed animal feed

• Namibians returning home and visitors travelling through border posts or airports. This risk increases as the hunting season and school holidays are in full swing.

• Meat and other raw products from infected cloven-hoofed animals.

How can Namibia manage these risks?

• Stricter biosecurity measures at borders: All individuals must disinfect their shoes, and vehicle wheels must be disinfected. Trucks must have a valid disinfection certificate before entering Namibia, and no unauthorised meat or products from cloven-hoofed animals may be allowed in from SA, nor any unauthorised raw animal feed.

• Returning Namibians and visitors must be aware of the risks, follow all biosecurity protocols like disinfecting shoes and vehicle wheels, and avoid contact with any livestock for a minimum of seven days.

• Livestock and livestock product movement control: Enforcement of veterinary protocols and inspection points.

• Proper disinfection and cleaning: Appropriate cleaning with correct dosages.

What is the responsibility of farmers?

• Apply biosecurity measures on farms to protect their herds, thus protecting the industry.

What measures should be taken?

• If you host hunters or visitors from SA, ensure there is no direct contact with Namibian livestock.

• Ensure livestock transport trucks returning from SA are cleaned and disinfected in SA before they return to Namibia.

• Any Namibian resident returning from SA should be cautious when visiting Namibian livestock facilities (farms, feedlots, auctions). Avoid direct contact with Namibian livestock if any contact with SA livestock occurred for at least seven days.

• Keep all items in contact with livestock clean and disinfected.

• Report sick animals immediately to your nearest veterinarian.

What are the Namibia Livestock Producers Organisation (LLPBN) and veterinary services doing to prevent the spread of the disease?

• Raising awareness about the existence and importance of disease-free zones in Namibia;

• Educating about access to the disease-free zone and prohibited products;

• Informing producers and providing education on clinical signs of identified reportable diseases;

• Developing clear standard operating procedures for suspected animal diseases; and

• Moving to emergency preparedness for animal disease outbreaks.

What is the NAU doing to help prevent the spread of the disease?

The NAU has expressed significant concern about the current real risk of infection and supports a high vigilance and preparedness approach. Furthermore, the NAU has engaged with several stakeholders and supports all actions to prevent the spread and communicated with members to monitor the border security measures in place and their enforcement;

The NAU is also part of the group warning the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform about this urgent matter and continues to communicate with the LLPBN and DVS and supports their efforts to combat the spread of the virus.

“All Namibians must unite to protect our precious health status as a country accredited by WOAH as a foot-and-mouth disease-free zone,” the NAU warned.

Border Control Procedure

“Namibia is on high alert due to the increase in FMD cases in some of its neighbouring countries. Therefore, the DVS, with the support of the LLPBN, is implementing increased biosecurity measures at border posts,” the NAU said. “It is important for visitors or returning citizens of Namibia to take note of the procedures they can expect when entering the country’s borders.”

• The wheels of trucks and other vehicles will be sprayed with a disinfectant;

• Every person will be expected to walk through a shoe disinfectant foot bath. Additionally, they will be expected to place any shoes stored in luggage into the foot bath for disinfection. These procedures are essential to eliminate any FMD virus that may cling to the wheels and soles of shoes, mainly through soil and animal waste;

• Trucks transporting livestock to SA must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before returning to Namibia. A valid disinfection certificate must be shown at the border before these vehicles are allowed to enter the country. The DVS will strictly implement all protocols for products that pose an FMD risk and cross the border;

• The importation of unprocessed animal feed must strictly adhere to permit requirements.

• Vehicles will be inspected for any unauthorised products such as raw meat, dairy, and other unprocessed products from cloven-hoofed animals.

“Please note that biltong and dry wors that have only been air-dried and not subjected to a cooking process will be confiscated as they pose a biosecurity threat,” emphasises the NAU.

Notice boards, pamphlets, and other visual aids will be available to provide travellers with the necessary information.

“Let’s keep Namibia FMD-free and stay vigilant,” the NAU urged.