FMD outbreak confirmed in Kavango East

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEK All livestock movements have been banned in the regions north of the veterinary cordon fence because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Kavango East Region. The movement of animals across the Namibian-Angolan border has also been suspended. The FMD Protection Zone consists of all areas north of the veterinary cordon fence, except Zambezi and the Mukwe constituency in Kavango East. The outbreak was confirmed in the FMD Protection Zone at Hoha Village in the Ndiyona constituency when farmers reported cattle showing FMD signs of limping and salivation to agriculture officials. According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the outbreak started on 25 September and was confirmed on 28 September. Agriculture ministry executive director Percy Misika said the outbreak was confirmed after veterinary officials inspected cattle and collected samples for laboratory analysis. “FMD cases were subsequently confirmed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory on 28 September.”Misika said 13 out of 657 cattle in the crush pen at Hoha Village tested positive for FMD. Control measures Control measures have been implemented in terms of the Animal Health Act. Besides the temporary ban on movement of all live, cloven-hoofed animals within and out of the FMD Protection Zone, all animal gatherings have been suspended until further notice, except for vaccination purposes. Slaughtering has been suspended, while movement restrictions have also been placed on potentially infectious commodities such as hides, skins, game trophies, grass and plant materials. Roadblocks will be set up at strategic points and members of the public are urged to cooperate with veterinary and police officials. Surveillance teams have also been deployed in the region to establish the extent of the outbreak, and farmers are requested to present their livestock for inspections. Permits cancelled Misika said all previously issued permits into and out of the entire FMD Protection Zone have been cancelled, and immediate vaccination of cattle at risk will be conducted. FMD is a viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. The virus is found in all excretions and secretions of infected animals. Clinical signs include salivation, not grazing, limping, reluctance to move, fever, blisters and ulcers on the tongue, gums or feet. All suspected cases must be reported.

FMD outbreak confirmed in Kavango East

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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FMD outbreak confirmed in Kavango East

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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