The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has ruled out a direct epidemiological link between the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in the //Kharas and Zambezi regions, as confirmed cases in the Karasburg State Veterinary District have reached 131 across 18 farms.
In an update issued on Wednesday, the ministry said investigations had found no evidence connecting the two outbreaks, which were confirmed in //Kharas on 23 September and in Zambezi in October 2026.
The ministry said the Zambezi Region remained at high risk of FMD transmission due to the presence of buffalo populations in protected areas and ongoing outbreaks in neighbouring countries.
“Based on the epidemiological investigations conducted to date, there is no evidence to suggest a direct epidemiological link between the FMD outbreak in the Zambezi Region and the outbreak in the //Kharas Region,” the ministry said.
In //Kharas, 131 animals have tested positive for FMD serotype SAT 1 across 18 farms, following veterinary inspections covering 63,011 animals.
The ministry said the outbreak remained confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District, where compulsory vaccination would be conducted in three rounds over three months.
Surveillance and livestock movement restrictions remain in force to prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, more than 10,800 cattle have been vaccinated in the Zambezi Region as authorities intensify efforts to contain the outbreak confirmed at Kalala Island on 6 October.
According to the ministry, 2,942 cattle were vaccinated at Kalala Island between 7 and 9 October, while another 7,922 cattle received vaccinations at 11 crush pens on 12 and 13 October, bringing the total to 10,864 animals.
The ministry reported that no new clinical cases or additional lesions had been detected as of 13 October, following active surveillance during which six veterinary teams inspected 6,226 cattle at 17 crush pens.
However, authorities cautioned that the absence of new cases did not mean the virus had been eliminated.
A strategic vaccination campaign involving seven teams will continue until 21 October, while five additional roadblocks at Kongola, Selela, Luhonono, Bukalo and Nakabolelwa were scheduled to become operational on 14 October to strengthen livestock movement controls.
The ministry urged farmers and livestock owners to comply with movement restrictions and report suspected illegal movements of livestock, meat and meat products.
The outbreaks have prompted intensified veterinary surveillance and vaccination campaigns in both regions, with authorities seeking to prevent further transmission and protect Namibia’s livestock industry.
