The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has vaccinated 61,315 cattle against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the //Kharas and Zambezi regions as authorities intensify efforts to contain outbreaks and prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of the country.
According to the ministry’s latest update, 7,402 cattle have been vaccinated across 81 farms in the //Kharas Region, while 53,913 cattle have received vaccinations at 37 crush pens in the Zambezi Region.
In the //Kharas Region, where FMD serotype SAT 1 was confirmed on 23 September 2026, the outbreak has affected 18 farms, with 131 positive cases recorded.
The ministry said the outbreak remains confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District, where 19 vaccination teams have been deployed to vaccinate approximately 13,000 cattle.
“The FMD vaccination campaign commenced on 17 October 2026 in the //Kharas Region, with 19 vaccination teams deployed to vaccinate approximately 13,000 heads of cattle. As of 28 October 2026, 7,402 cattle had been vaccinated across 81 farms,” the ministry said.
“The vaccination campaign will target all farms and establishments situated south of the B3 road (Ariamsvlei to Grünau) and the C10 road leading to Ai-Ais, extending southwards to the Orange River. The target area will also include a buffer band of two farms north of the B3 road.”
Meanwhile, in the Zambezi Region, where FMD was confirmed on Kalala Island on 6 October, vaccination teams have covered 37 crush pens within a 30-kilometre radius of the affected area.
The ministry reported that no new cases had been detected outside the designated Disease Management Area, with the outbreak remaining confined to Kalala Island.
“The outbreak remains confined to Kalala Island in the Zambezi Region, with active surveillance ongoing to monitor the disease situation and detect any potential spread,” the ministry said.
Authorities have also maintained livestock movement restrictions and veterinary checkpoints to prevent the disease from spreading beyond the affected areas.
A total of 18 stationary roadblocks and veterinary checkpoints remain operational across the //Kharas, Hardap, Khomas and Otjozondjupa regions.
“The roadblocks at Luhonono and Nakabolelwa are operational and jointly manned by DVS officials and the Namibian Police Force (NAMPOL) to enforce livestock movement restrictions,” the ministry said.
Veterinary officials continue to conduct disease surveillance, trace livestock movements and monitor farms within the affected areas.
The ministry further clarified that certain processed meat products, including commercially produced cooked meat, biltong and dried sausages from registered facilities, may still be transported and traded, provided they comply with applicable veterinary requirements.
The vaccination campaigns and movement restrictions form part of the government’s efforts to contain the outbreaks and protect Namibia’s livestock industry from further disruptions.
