Quarantine imposed as lung sickness spreads

Cases of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, also known as lung sickness, have been detected in four regions in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) of Namibia since an outbreak was first confirmed at the end of May.Agriculture executive director Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata said that the disease has now been confirmed in several parts of the Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto and Omusati regions.To date, over 40 cattle have been reported to have died and about 100 are clinically sick.In line with the Animal Health Act, the ministry has declared a quarantine area that includes the Kavango East Region (excluding areas east of the Shamangorwa animal disease control fence), Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Oshana and Kunene regions (north of the veterinary cordon fence).Nghituwamata said that the disease is mainly present among cattle and water buffalo and it is caused by a type of bacteria that attacks the lungs of susceptible animals.Dangerous“Lung sickness is known to cause great losses of cattle, resulting in the death of more than 50% of the cattle populations," the ministry warned.The disease is transmitted through direct contact between infected and uninfected cattle.Nghituwamata said that the disease may cause sudden death, but it often develops into a chronic form resulting in cattle fatalities over a period of time.She said that the disease cannot be treated; infected cattle remain a source of further infection to others.Humans are not susceptible to the disease.Further control measures include a complete restriction of movement within and out of the quarantine area, except for direct slaughter, while several roadblocks have been erected at strategic points to enforce movement control.Safety measuresSurveillance teams have been deployed in the regions to establish the extent of the outbreak. Moreover, vaccination of all cattle in quarantine areas is ongoing and all farmers are obliged to bring cattle to be vaccinated.Movement of cattle for direct slaughter at abattoirs, informal markets, for social events and other purposes are allowed, provided that they move under an official movement permit and get slaughtered with 72 hours under veterinary supervision.These cattle should however not come into close contact with other cattle not meant for slaughter at the place of destination to avoid further transmission.Movement of beef including carcasses and other products, but excluding lungs, are also allowed within and out of the quarantine areas.The ministry warned that lungs with lesions should be destroyed on-site.Signs of lung sickness include coughing and nasal disgorges, painful, rapid and increased breathing, poor body condition, becoming recumbent and in severe cases death after one to three weeks.Post-mortem signs can include a significant number of yellow fluids in the chest cavity and lungs attaching to the ribs.

Quarantine imposed as lung sickness spreads

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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Quarantine imposed as lung sickness spreads

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-16

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