More than 1 296 cattle vaccinated for FMD

As of yesterday, government’s animal health experts from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) had managed to vaccinate more than 1 296 cattle across 25 farms in the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) hit Karasburg Veterinary District in the //Kharas region.

Compulsory vaccination in the //Kharas region commenced on 17 October, with the first round of vaccination set to reach a total of 13 000 cattle across various farms within the infected Karasburg areas.

Providing the weekly update on the FMD situation, spokesperson of the agriculture ministry Romeo Muyunda said the remaining cattle that are scheduled for the mandatory first vaccination round will be vaccinated within the next two weeks.

“The campaign will target all farms or establishments situated south of the B3 and C10 roads leading to Ai-Ais. In total, 19 vaccination teams have been deployed to vaccinate approximately 13 000 heads of cattle. Vaccination remains an important control measure in the management of FMD. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) recognises vaccination as one of the tools that may be used in FMD control strategies, depending on the epidemiological situation and the objectives of the control programme. Vaccination aims to limit the further spread of the disease, reduce the susceptibility of livestock to infection and provide herd protection,” said Muyunda.

In the current outbreak situation, vaccination is being implemented to protect susceptible cattle and reduce the risk of further transmission within the designated vaccination areas.

He explained that when combined with livestock movement restrictions, active surveillance, biosecurity measures and other veterinary interventions, vaccination contributes to containing the outbreak and protecting animal health, livelihoods and the livestock industry.

“Livestock owners are urged to cooperate with veterinary teams and to ensure that all eligible animals are presented for vaccination during each round. Failure to comply with the directive may constitute an offence under the applicable legislation,” he stated.

FMD situation in Zambezi

FMD was also confirmed on Kalala Island in the Zambezi region on 6 October 2026. In response, the DVS has implemented vaccination, surveillance and livestock movement control measures to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread beyond the designated Disease Management Area (DMA).

As of yesterday, a total of 42 286 cattle in 34 crush pens had been vaccinated within the affected and surrounding areas.

No new FMD cases had been reported outside the designated DMA as of that date, and active surveillance is ongoing. The roadblocks at Luhonono and Nakabolelwa are operational and jointly manned by DVS officials and the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) to enforce livestock movement controls. “Farmers, the livestock industry and members of the public are urged to comply with all veterinary directives and movement restrictions, and to report any suspected cases, unauthorised movements of livestock, meat and meat products to the nearest district State Veterinary Office. The Ministry continues to implement surveillance, vaccination and other control measures to contain the outbreaks in the //Kharas and Zambezi regions,” said Muyunda.

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