Ohangwena: The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has lifted all livestock movement restrictions in the Ohangwena and Kavango West regions after tests on a buffalo suspected of carrying Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) came out negative.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Chief Veterinary Officer in the ministry, Kenneth Shoombe, announced that the restriction on the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and animal products in the Oshikunde and Okongo constituencies in Ohangwena, as well as Mpungu Constituency in Kavango West, has been lifted with immediate effect.

The restrictions were introduced after an African buffalo was sighted in the three constituencies in May 2026. Its presence in communal farming areas raised concern because the species is a known carrier of the FMD virus, which can severely affect cattle and other livestock, he said.

The same buffalo was later seen on 05 June at Mpora village in the Mankumpi Constituency of the Kavango West Region and officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism tracked the animal and successfully put it down on 07 June 2026.

Samples collected from the buffalo were sent to the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek on 08 June 2026 and the animal tested negative for the FMD virus.

"Based on the negative test results and in line with the Animal Health Act 1 of 2011, all FMD movement restriction measures imposed under Veterinary Public Notification No. 9 of 2026 are hereby lifted," Shoombe said.

He added that farmers in the affected constituencies can now resume the normal movement of cattle, goats, sheep and other cloven-hoofed animals, as well as related animal products, subject to the usual veterinary requirements.

Shoombe further commended communities and stakeholders for their cooperation during the restriction period and urged them to continue reporting any sightings of wild buffalo or unusual livestock illness to veterinary officials without delay.