The number of samples testing positive for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Namibia has increased from 10 to 17, although all positive cases remain confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District in the //Kharas Region, the government has said.
Acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Charles Mubita said the latest results followed an expanded surveillance exercise conducted between 22 and 25 September 2026 across five regions.
A total of 199 samples were collected from animals in //Kharas, Khomas, Omaheke, Otjozondjupa and Oshana, of which 17 tested positive. All the positive samples were from the Karasburg State Veterinary District.
“For precautionary measures, a total of 199 samples were collected from animals during a routine surveillance exercise, which commenced on 22 to 25 September 2026,” Mubita said.
“So far, all positive cases remain confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District.”
The samples comprised 117 from Karasburg in //Kharas, 50 from Gobabis in Omaheke, 30 from Otjiwarongo in Otjozondjupa, and one each from Windhoek in Khomas and Ondangwa in Oshana.
The latest results follow the initial detection of clinical FMD cases in //Kharas on 22 September. Laboratory tests on 11 samples collected from a herd of 65 cattle initially returned 10 positive results.
