Emergency FMD vaccination activated in Zambezi

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform through the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has put in motion the emergency FMD vaccination campaign at Kalala Island in Kabe constituency of Zambezi region.

This follows the detection of the Foot and Mouth Disease in that area as confirmed by the ministry in a public notice over the weekend.

“On 5 October, DVS officials from Katima Mulilo State Veterinary Office conducted FMD investigations and observed a total of 20 cattle showing FMD clinical signs. Twelve samples were collected and submitted to the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) in Windhoek on 6 October for diagnostic testing. All samples tested positive for Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus on 7 October,” read the notice.

It states that in accordance with the Animal Health Act,201l (Act No. 1 of 2011), the National Foot-and-Mouth Disease Contingency Plan has been activated with the aim of containing and controlling the outbreak.

“Intensive surveillance has already commenced to establish the full extent of the outbreak and the following control measures have been instituted with immediate effect and until further notice: Suspension of movement of all cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products in the entire Zambezi region. All issued permits are hereby cancelled, suspension of- marketing and trade including all animal gathering events of all cloven-hoofed animals (auctions, informal markets, local abattoirs etc).”

Other measures include the immediate halt to the slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals at local abattoirs, informal markets, and during social events, slaughter at export abattoir as part of Commodity-Based Trade is permitted following favourable traceability of cattle currently in quarantine. Setting of roadblocks at strategic areas to enforce the movement restrictions of all cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products within the region.

The ministry informs that Foot and Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and susceptible wild animals.

The disease is commonly characterised by the development of blisters (vesicles), sores and ulcers in and around the mouth and on the hooves, particularly in between.

Infected animals may be reluctant to move, exhibit excessive salivation and lose body condition. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform through the “Directorate of Veterinary Services remains committed to containing and controlling this outbreak. Farmers and other stakeholders are urged to report all suspicious cases to the nearest State Veterinary Office as well as cooperate with FMD control measures. Regular updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.”

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