FMD cases remain at 131 in //Kharas

Sostenus Wilherm

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) cases in the //Kharas region remain at 131 across 18 farms, while more than 53 000 cattle have been vaccinated in the Zambezi region as authorities intensify efforts to contain the outbreaks.

In an update issued on Wednesday, the ministry of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform said the //Kharas outbreak remained confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District, with surveillance and movement controls ongoing.

The ministry said 7 402 cattle had been vaccinated across 81 farms in //Kharas since the campaign began on 17 October, with 19 teams targeting approximately 13 000 cattle.

In the Zambezi Region, 53 913 cattle had been vaccinated across 37 crush pens within a 30-kilometre radius of Kalala Island, where the outbreak was confirmed on 6 October.

“No new FMD cases have been reported outside the designated Disease Management Area (DMA),” the ministry said.

The ministry added that 18 roadblocks and veterinary checkpoints remained operational across //Kharas, Hardap, Khomas and Otjozondjupa to enforce livestock movement restrictions.

Meanwhile, restrictions on raw meat and animal products originating from facilities within //Kharas remain in place.

The ministry urged farmers and the public to comply with veterinary directives and report suspected cases or unauthorised livestock movements to the nearest State Veterinary Office.

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#WindhoekObserver