Breaking news: FMD confirmed on 11 farms

Another 79 animals tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) across 11 farms in the ||Kharas region on Friday.

Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani announced the additional cases on Saturday evening.

“The current epidemiological evidence indicates that confirmed infected remain confined in the ||Kharas region,” Zaamwani said.

However, she told farmers to remain vigilant, as livestock movement could easily spread the disease to other regions.

The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) tested 531 samples on Friday, of which 79 were positive for SAT-1, an FMD virus that is similar to the one found in South Africa and Botswana.

Since the outbreak was confirmed on 23 September, 15 000 animals on 61 farms have been inspected by DVS, according to Zaamwani.

She said the ministry aims to inspect another 15 farms by Monday.

The minister urged farmers not to vaccinate their animals, move their livestock, or take any other actions without guidance from the ministry.

“We recognise that the potential destruction of livestock may have serious consequences for affected farmers. Nevertheless these interventions must be assessed in the context of protecting the wider livestock population,” Zaamwani added.

The post Breaking news: FMD confirmed on 11 farms appeared first on The Namibian.