The Directorate of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has lifted the foot and mouth disease restrictions in place in Zambezi since an outbreak was detected in the region in May 2021.
A media statement issued on Tuesday by Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Albertina Shilongo said following the successful control and containment of the disease through intensive disease surveillance conducted by the directorate, the last confirmed case of the disease in the region was reported on 04 November 2021.
She said in line with Namibia’s foot and mouth disease contingency plan, outbreak restrictions in disease protection and infected zones can be lifted three months after the last confirmed case, hence all restrictions imposed as a result of the outbreak are lifted with immediate effect.
‘In order to prevent future outbreaks, vaccination against foot and mouth disease will continue in the region and farmers are urged to bring their cattle to the crush-pens when announcements are made by veterinary services,’ said Shilongo.
The directorate also thanked farmers and the general public for their cooperation during the outbreak.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
