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FMD vaccination going smoothly in Zambezi

2021-06-23  John Muyamba

FMD vaccination going smoothly in Zambezi

RUNDU – The agriculture ministry says the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination campaign and surveillance in the Kasika area of the Zambezi region are going smoothly, as farmers and the general public are adhering to control measures put in place to curb further spread of the disease. 

The ministry told New Era that as of 11 June, the ministry vaccinated about 40 281 cattle in the affected area, which is about 54% of the total targeted population of cattle to be vaccinated.

“The vaccination campaign and surveillance launched by the ministry since the confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak at Kasenu Village in Kasika area of Zambezi region on 3 June 2021 are still ongoing,” said the agriculture ministry’s spokesperson, Jona Musheko.

“We have not recorded any significant challenges yet; farmers and the public within the region are adhering well to the control measures put in place to avoid further spread of the FMD.”

The FMD outbreak was confirmed on 3 June at Kasenu Village in Kasika area of Zambezi region and in line with the Animal Health Act, Act 1 of 2011; the area within the radius of 30km of Kasenu village was immediately declared a controlled area.

Chief veterinary officer Dr Alberthina Shilongo said when FMD was confirmed at Kasenu, the ministry immediately banned the movement of all cloven-hoofed animals out and through (in-transit) the controlled area to minimise the spread of this deadly virus.

“The agriculture ministry has set control measures in place, active surveillance and vaccination of cattle in and out of the control area, and the rest of the region has commenced,” Shilongo said.

Cloven-hoofed animals include cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and some wild animals and their products. 

The ministry is enforcing a movement restriction of potentially infectious commodities such as hides, skins, game trophies, grass and plant materials out and through the controlled area. 

A number of roadblocks and patrol teams are still strategically placed around the controlled area and members of the public are urged to cooperate with veterinary and police officials stationed at these points fully.

- jmuyamba@nepc.com.na 


2021-06-23  John Muyamba

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