The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has banned the movement of all cloven-hoofed animals and their products out and through the Kasenu village in the Zambezi Region after an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.

A media statement issued on Monday by Chief Veterinary Officer in the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Albertina Shilongo, said the outbreak was detected and confirmed at Kasenu village in the Kasika area of the north-eastern region on 03 June 2021.

According to Shilongo, areas within a 30 kilometre radius of Kasenu have been declared as controlled areas in line with the Animal Health Act, Act 1 of 2011.

“Crushpens within the controlled area incude Ivilivinzi, Kasika, Kabulabula, Singwe, Nyange, Silubaba, Kazuka, Itombo, Ikota, Kalala, Natungu, Impalila, Limai, Muzii, Nankutwe, Luhonono, Namiyundu, Nakabolelwa, Nsundwa, Nangwena, Musekezi, Mutwalwizi 1 and 2 and Nkoza,” said Shilongo.

She further said surveillance and vaccination of cattle in and out of the controlled area and the rest of the Zambezi Region have started and movement of all cloven-hoofed animals as well as potentially infectious commodities such as hides, skin, game trophies and plant materials within and out of the controlled areas are still allowed in the rest of the region, provided that appropriate procedures are followed.

The chief veterinarian urged members of the public to cooperate with the veterinary officials while farmers in the controlled area are also strongly urged to take their cattle for FMD vaccination.

Source: Namibia Press Agency