Foot-and-mouth disease detected in Zambezi Region

The Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) says a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak has been detected in the Kabbe South Constituency of the Zambezi Region after 14 herds of cattle showed symptoms of the deadly disease. 

FMD is a severe and highly contagious animal disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, deer, pigs, goats and sheep. It can be transboundary and can occur sporadically in any area currently free of the disease. 

The government department, which falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, said control measures such as restricting movement of cloven-hoofed animals had now been imposed, while investigations are being carried out to ascertain the source of the latest infections. 

“In line with the Animal Health Act, Kabbe south and Kabbe north Constituencies have been declared FMD-infected areas and the entire Zambezi Region is declared a Disease Management Area (DMA),” Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Albertina Shilongo said. 

The latest outbreak comes eight months after the country had successfully controlled and contained the previous FMD outbreak. More than 150 cattle are reported to have died due to FMD-related causes in 2021. 

The Zambezi outbreak also follows neighbouring Botswana’s decision last month to resume exports of live cattle and beef from areas declared free of foot-and-mouth disease. 

Namibia last month lifted the suspension of live cattle exports to South Africa imposed in August after the neighbouring country put a hold on all movement of livestock in the country except for slaughter to contain the spread of the foot-and-mouth disease.

 

 

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