WINDHOEK – The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) has announced the lifting of restrictions in the Zambezi Region which were imposed following a suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease, that was detected during August this year. “I would like to extent a sincere word of thanks to the farming community in the area who reacted quickly and swiftly to help us get the situation under control”, said Dr Johannes Shoopala, Acting Director of Veterinary Affairs at the ministry.
“The suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) at Ihaha Crushpen has been successfully brought under control and measures imposed to specifically deal with the outbreak have been lifted with immediate effect”, said Permanent Secretary in the MAWF, Joseph Iita, in a statement released this week. The crush pen is located in the Kabbe Constituency, about 80km southeast of Katima Mulilo. Iita continued that the outbreak was brought under control following the booster vaccination of more than 45 000 cattle within a 40km radius of the Ihaha Crushpen as well as intensified inspection of livestock and movement control throughout the Zambezi Region. “No evidence of spread of the disease from the initial focus or occurrence of new cases have been detected”, continued Iita.
The lifting of restrictions means that the containment zone established to control the outbreak is lifted and that the movement of cloven-hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, goats and game animals) within the region is now permitted under cover of an official veterinary permit. The lifting of restrictions also enables the movement of animal derived products and plant material out of the region under the cover of an official permit of course. “Routine surveillance activities will remain in place to ensure early detection of diseases. Farmers are encouraged to report disease cases to their nearest veterinary office for investigation”, noted Iita.
The PS elaborated that a routine vaccination campaign against FMD and lung sickness for the whole of the eastern Zambezi is planned to start on October 20, 2014, and is scheduled to end on November 26, 2014. According to Iita, the campaign will include cattle that were vaccinated within the 40km radius of Ihaha and will also involve inspecting animals for other diseases.