Namibia has reported no new foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) cases outside the designated disease management area on Kalala Island in the Zambezi Region, as authorities continue vaccination, surveillance and livestock movement controls to contain outbreaks in Zambezi and //Kharas.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform’s Deputy Director Romeo Muyunda said on 21 October that 42,286 cattle across 34 crush pens had been vaccinated in affected and surrounding areas of Zambezi since the outbreak was confirmed on Kalala Island on 6 October.
Active surveillance is continuing, while roadblocks at Luhono, Linyanti and Kavango are being jointly manned by Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) officials and the Namibian Police to enforce livestock movement restrictions.
“We wish to inform the nation that no new FMD cases have been reported outside the designated disease management area on Kalala Island to date. However, active surveillance is continuing in the region. The ministry has established operational roadblocks at Luhono and the other designated checkpoints, which are jointly manned by DVS officials and members of the Namibian Police to ensure compliance with livestock movement controls,” he said.
Muyunda further explained that in the //Kharas Region, where FMD was confirmed on 23 September, surveillance within a 50-kilometre radius of the index farm had been completed.
A total of 93 farms were inspected, of which 18 were confirmed to be infected, with 131 positive cases recorded.
The outbreak remains confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District, with 18 stationary roadblocks and veterinary checkpoints operating across //Kharas and neighbouring regions to enforce movement restrictions.
“As of 21 October 2026, surveillance activities within a 50-kilometre radius of the index farm had been completed. A total of 93 farms were inspected, of which 18 were confirmed to be infected. The total number of positive cases remains at 131. The outbreak therefore remains confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District. A total of 18 stationary roadblocks and veterinary checkpoints remain operational across the //Kharas, Hardap and Omaheke regions to enforce livestock movement controls in accordance with the prescribed restrictions,” he said.
Meanwhile, a compulsory vaccination campaign began on 17 October, with 19 teams deployed to vaccinate approximately 13,000 cattle.
By 21 October, 1,296 cattle across 25 farms had been vaccinated. The remaining cattle are scheduled to be vaccinated over the following two weeks during the first round of vaccination.
The campaign targets farms and establishments south of the B3 and C10 roads leading to Ai-Ais.
The ministry said vaccination, combined with livestock movement restrictions and biosecurity measures, is intended to reduce the risk of further transmission and protect animal health, farmers’ livelihoods and the livestock industry.
Livestock owners in designated areas have been urged to comply with compulsory vaccination directives issued under the Animal Health Act of 2011 and cooperate with veterinary teams. Failure to comply may constitute an offence.
“The ministry is therefore reminding all livestock owners and persons responsible for cloven-hoofed animals within the designated areas of their obligation to comply with the compulsory vaccination directive issued by the Chief Veterinary Officer. The directive was issued in terms of Section 19 of the Animal Health Act, Act No. 1 of 2011, read together with the applicable provisions of the Animal Health Regulations of 2018,” Muyunda said.
The ministry will also conduct FMD information sessions in //Kharas from 22 to 24 October to brief farmers and other stakeholders on control measures, livestock movement restrictions, biosecurity requirements and strategies for restoring livestock market access.
