WINDHOEK – A temporary but complete ban on all livestock movements in the Zambezi region has been imposed with immediate effect after the suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) at Ihaha Crushpen, situated about 80km southeast of Katima Mulilo in the Kabbe South Constituency. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry successfully contained an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the same constituency earlier this year after the first sightings of the disease were reported in August 2013.
According to the acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Anna Shiweda, 24 cattle from five kraals containing close to 250 livestock, showed signs of the disease. “The cattle, which were in poor body condition, were salivating and had ulcers in the mouth. The cattle had been vaccinated against FMD in May 2014 and were therefore expected to have been protected from the disease”, said Shiweda in a statement.
Shiweda explained that veterinary officials who were conducting livestock inspections in the area on August 21 detected the disease. “A full investigation has been launched by the State Veterinarian for the Zambezi Region who has collected laboratory samples to confirm the outbreak. Further investigations are underway to determine then cause of the outbreak and to establish how far it is spread”, noted Shiweda. Surveillance teams have been deployed in the region to establish the extent of the outbreak and farmers in the area have been requested to present their livestock for inspection.
Besides the immediate ban on the movement of animals, other control measures imposed, in accordance with the Animal Health Act (No 1 of 2011) and the Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan, include the establishment of a 40km containment zone around the Ihaha Crushpen and a number of roadblocks erected at strategic points. In the meantime a moratorium has also been established on the movement of meat from the Katima Mulilo abattoir until further notice.
However, there are no restrictions in the FMD free zone, which is south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence, as well as other areas which compromise the protection zone, like Kavango, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Oshana, Omusati and Kunene North, which are north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence.
“These restrictions are temporary in nature and are designed to allow the Directorate of Veterinary Services to establish the full extent of the outbreak. There will be a gradual lifting of these restrictions in the shortest possible period”, remarked Shiweda.