The Directorate of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform on Monday announced the partial lifting of the restriction of movement of cloven-hoofed animals in the Zambezi Region.

Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Albertina Shilongo said in a media statement on Monday that a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak was detected in three kraals in the Zambezi Region on 13 October 2022.

“The first round of cattle vaccination against FMD has so far been completed in crush pen areas that are within the 30-kilometre radius from Mbalasinte and Kasika villages in the Zambezi Region, with 48 458 out of 52 480 cattle vaccinated, with SAT trivalent vaccine representing vaccination coverage of 93.3 per cent,” she said.

Shilongo said since the infection is still in the eastern part of the Zambezi Region, the infected areas are the kraals in Mbalasinte and Kasika villages, while the new disease management area is therefore Kabbe South Constituency.

She said they have put in place movement restrictions on all cloven-hoofed animals and animal products from the disease management area to the rest of the region.

A number of patrol teams are also strategically placed and members of the public are urged to cooperate with the veterinary and police officials.

Re-vaccination of all cattle in the region will continue and all farmers are strongly urged to bring their cattle for vaccination to the designated crush pens as per the announcement by the directorate of veterinary officials.

Shilongo further stated that slaughtering of fully vaccinated cloven-hoofed animals for own consumption within the disease management area is allowed.

“Movement of fully vaccinated cattle from the rest of the region into the disease management area is also allowed,” Shilongo said.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency