In light of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the Ohangwena region, Meatco has decided not to accept animals transported by truck from the two regions north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence (VCF) without a Disinfection Certificate issued by the Directorate of Veterinary Services  (DVS).

This decision will apply with immediate effect and the DVS has declared that the Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions have an FMD outbreak. The first case was detected early this month at the Ondama Yomughete crush pen in the Okongo constituency, followed by a second case at the Okakango village in the Okankolo Constituency of the Oshikoto region. The two cases were confirmed late last week and disease control measures have been put in place in accordance with the Animal Health Act No.1 of 2011.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) has urged farmers and the public not to transport cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and wild animals or any other potentially infectious material and products from, into and within the infected and containment areas to any other part of Namibia.  “Any movement outside the containment area must be authorised by DVS, who will issue Red Cross Movement Permits for the rest of the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) west of a fence at Shamagorwa in the Kavango East Region,” the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Abraham Nehemia, said.