The foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak detected in the Zambezi Region on 27 May 2021, has spread to four villages and infected 795 cattle.
A media statement issued on Thursday by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform said tests done at the Central Veterinary Laboratory confirmed the outbreak at Kasenu village in the Kabbe South Constituency.
It has since spread to Luhonono, Namiyundu, Ikaba and Nankutwe, infecting 795 cattle in total.
According to the statement, the source of the disease is suspected to either be contact of cattle with free roaming buffaloes in the area or smuggling of infected cattle from neighbouring countries. However, investigations to ascertain the source of infection are ongoing. It also said the spread of the disease to other villages is due to movement of livestock to areas in the flood plain in search of better grazing.
“In line with the Animal Health Act No. 1 of 2011, Kabbe South Constituency has been declared a foot and mouth disease infected area and the entire Zambezi is declared a disease management area,” it added.
A number of control measures have been instituted and will be in force for 14 days, including intensive FMD surveillance and a movement restriction or ban on all cloven-hoofed animals throughout the disease management area.
All previously issued permits into and out of the disease management area were also recalled, while a restriction was also placed on the movement of potentially infectious commodities out of, within and through the disease management area such as raw meat, raw milk, hides, skins, game trophies, grass and plant materials, with the exception of potted plants.
“Slaughtering of cloven-hoofed animals at local markets has also been suspended, intake of cattle into quarantine has been suspended and a number of roadblocks and patrol teams are strategically placed around the disease management area,” the statement said.
Emergency vaccination of cattle against the disease has commenced in high-risk areas. So far, 68 544 out of 75 000 cattle have been vaccinated, and farmers are urged to continue taking their cattle for vaccination.
Source: Namibia Press Agency
