Namibia, through the Livestock and Livestock Products Board of Namibia (LLPBN) and the Directorate of Veterinary Services, has placed its livestock sector on high alert after it procured equipment, vaccines and materials to combat potential outbreaks of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) countrywide.

The country’s procured additional equipment, vaccines and related materials will form part of the FMD emergency mobile store, which will be deplored to suspected outbreak sites across the country immediately upon request from the directorate.

FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact. 

It mostly affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. 

It is a transboundary animal disease that deeply affects the production of livestock and disrupts regional and international trade in animals and animal products.

The virus causes a high fever, lasting two to six days, followed by blisters inside the mouth and near the hoof that may rupture and cause lameness. 

Its containment demands considerable efforts in vaccination, strict monitoring, trade restrictions, quarantines and sometimes the culling of both infected and healthy (uninfected) animals.

Government agencies, led by the Roads Authority and Ministry of Agriculture, recently met with all border-post stakeholders, including immigration, to inspect the construction of disinfection drive-through wash bays at Noordoewer and Ariamsvlei for the control of FMD. 

Authorities warn that people are a major transmission risk, as the disease can cling to shoes, clothing, vehicle wheels, hands and equipment. 

Animal products pose an even greater threat, as raw, dried, processed or frozen meat, milk and dairy items can all carry the virus. 

Strict controls at points of entry through the disinfection of vehicles and passengers, and control of products entering Namibia from South Africa, are in full force. 

The livestock products board put out a notice, urging authorities, livestock owners and stakeholders to exercise increased biosecurity awareness, ensure compliance with veterinary protocols, and report any FMD cases immediately.

The ban has also been imposed on the importation of live animals, semen and embryos from that country.

These controls safeguard Namibia’s status as one of only four African countries recognised as free of FMD without vaccination, a premium market position that could take years to regain if lost.

Regional crisis 

Neighbouring Botswana and South Africa are both currently battling mounting cases of FMD, with Botswana having recently confirmed an outbreak of the disease in its northeastern areas. 

This prompted the immediate enforcement of quarantine measures and livestock movement restrictions to prevent further spread. In South Africa, FMD outbreaks are beginning to show their full economic weight, with new data indicating mounting losses in both the dairy and beef sectors. 

The disease spreads more widely and persists for longer than initially expected. 

– ohembapu@nepc.com.na