…suspends livestock movement
Namibia has confirmed a Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak on a commercial farm in the //Kharas Region, marking the first outbreak detected in the country’s World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)-recognised FMD-free zone.
Acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Dr Charles Mubita announced the outbreak in the National Assembly on Wednesday, saying 10 cattle tested positive for the disease.
The outbreak was detected during routine surveillance in the Karasburg State Veterinary District after veterinary officials identified 11 cattle showing clinical signs consistent with FMD.
Samples were collected on 22 September 2026 and tested at the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek, with 10 of the 11 samples returning positive results on 23 September.
“This state confirms an active FMD outbreak in Namibia’s WOAH-recognised FMD-Free Zone,” Mubita said.
He said the confirmation had triggered immediate control measures under the Animal Health Act, No. 1 of 2011, aimed at containing the outbreak as quickly as possible.
The Ministry has subsequently suspended the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products across Namibia with immediate effect.
Imports and exports of all cloven-hoofed animals have also been suspended until further notice.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services is expected to issue a Veterinary Public Notification outlining additional measures to control and contain the outbreak.
Mubita warned that the outbreak could have serious economic consequences because of the resulting disruption to domestic and international livestock marketing.
“This development comes with serious impact and implications for the national economy and livelihoods of the Namibian people, due to the suspension of marketing of livestock and livestock products, locally and internationally,” he said.
Mubita called on government institutions, the livestock industry, stakeholders and the public to cooperate with veterinary authorities to contain the outbreak and restore normal livestock marketing as soon as possible.
