The Omaheke Regional Council has invested N$200 000 in the procurement of large quantities of lumpy skin disease vaccines, which will be distributed to areas affected by the outbreak of the deadly virus across the region. 

This follows a decision by the council’s management committee during its recent meeting to allocate funds to the areas or constituencies affected by the outbreak of the disease as well as those not affected to prevent further spread of the disease and safeguard the livestock. 

According to Dr Johannes Shoopala, the acting chief veterinary officer in the ministry of agriculture, the lumpy skin disease was first reported in Okakakara constituency of Otjozondjupa region in June 2024 and has since spread to some areas in Omaheke, Kavango East, Kavango West, Zambezi, Ohangwena, Oshana, Oshikoto, Omusati and Kunene regions. 

By 14 February 2025, a total of 1 564 clinical cases and 443 deaths had been reported in the affected areas. The disease is highly contagious and is transmitted by blood-feeding insects such as flies, mosquitoes and ticks. 

-ohembapu@nepc.com.na