FMD outbreak in Oshikoto

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEKAn outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the Oshikoto Region was announced by the agriculture ministry last week.The ministry also confirmed that the FMD outbreaks detected last year in the Kavango East and Kavango West regions are continuing and all control measures instituted are still applicable.According to the ministry, the outbreak in Oshikoto was declared on 28 December at the Onamulunga crush-pen in the Olukonda constituency.It was confirmed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek the following day.Two out of five cattle in the herd showed clinical FMD signs upon physical examination conducted by veterinary officials. Infected areaAccording to the ministry’s chief veterinary officer Albertina Shilongo, in line with the Animal Health Act, the Olukonda constituency has been declared an FMD infected area.“Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Oshana, Omusati and Kunene are now declared as the disease management areas and control measures have been instituted,” she said.These include a complete movement restriction on all live cloven-hoofed animals within and out of the disease management areas, with immediate effect.Cloven-hoofed animals include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and wild animals.In-transit of live cloven-hoofed animals and their products from and into these regions are also not allowed.Shilongo said a movement restriction on other potentially infectious commodities out of the disease management areas such as hides, skins, game trophies, grass and plant materials has also been imposed until further notice. Permits cancelled, recalled“All previously issued permits into, within and out of the disease management areas have also been cancelled and recalled,” she said.Furthermore, a number of roadblocks have been set up at strategic points and patrol teams have been deployed within the areas to enforce movement restriction.Shilongo said FMD surveillance, aimed at establishing the extent of the outbreak, have been intensified and farmers are requested to bring their animals for inspection whenever announced by veterinary officials.Meanwhile, raw meat and other animal products from the FMD-free Zambezi, as well as from the export abattoir in the region, into the FMD protection zone is permitted, she said.FMD is a viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. It 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 and hooves.

FMD outbreak in Oshikoto

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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FMD outbreak in Oshikoto

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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