FMD restrictions partially lifted

staff reporterWINDHOEKThe foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak at Hoha village in the Ndiyona Constituency, which was confirmed on 28 September, has not spread beyond the Kavango East Region.Therefore, movement restrictions on live cloven-hoofed animals and their products have been lifted in the Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Omusati and Kunene regions with immediate effect.Nevertheless, the Kavango East Region, except for the Mukwe Constituency, has been declared an FMD-infected area in line with the Animal Health Act.According to the agriculture ministry's chief veterinary officer, Albertina Shilongo, restrictions were put in place to give the Directorate of Veterinary Services time to determine whether the disease had spread to other areas. No spreadTracing of animals, animal products and materials that had been moved from the outbreak area was carried out. Animals were examined and found to be free from FMD clinical signs.“Following a successful and intensive investigation by veterinary officials in the FMD Protected Zone, it was established that the outbreak had not spread beyond the Kavango East Region.”The FMD Protected Zone includes the Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Omusati, and Kunene regions.Therefore, movement restrictions in these regioíns, except for the Kavango East Region, have been lifted with immediate effect, said Shilongo. Still quarantinedMovement restrictions of all live cloven-hoofed animals out of and within the Kavango East infected area remain in place.“Movement of potentially infectious commodities out of the infected area such as raw milk, hides, skins, game trophies and grass and plant materials is not permitted.”Shilongo said that the movement of live cloven-hoofed animals from the FMD-free and protection zones into the infected area is allowed for animals intended for direct slaughter within 72 hours upon arrival.Furthermore, transporting raw meat and other animal products from the free and protection zones into the infected zone is also allowed.The slaughtering of cloven-hooved animals for weddings and funerals will be allowed in the infected area, except areas within a radius of 30 km around Hoha village.In-transit movement of live cloven-hoofed animals and their products through the infected area is allowed, provided that transporting vehicles are sealed under veterinary supervision, said Shilongo.A number of roadblocks have been set up at strategic points and patrol teams are deployed around the infected areas to restrict movement.Shilongo said emergency vaccination of cattle in the restricted area is under way and all farmers are advised to take their cattle for vaccination at designated crush pens.

FMD restrictions partially lifted

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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FMD restrictions partially lifted

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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