The Ministry of Agriculture has lifted control measures imposed after an outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was detected in the Erongo region and killed over 1,000 wild birds, mainly cape cormorants.
The highly-pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, which is a deadly form of bird flu that can be transmitted to humans, was first detected in January in the towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund.
“Control measures which included among others movement restriction of all live domestic and wild birds, from in and out of the coastal areas and suspension of guano harvesting and guano movement from that region have been lifted,” Chief Veterinary Officer Albertina Shikongo said on Monday.
Meanwhile, Agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said the country was battling the Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (lung disease), which has broken out, and is spreading in the country’s northern communal areas.
“It was introduced from cattle being herded from Angola to Namibia. We need to strictly adhere to vaccination campaigns to prevent losses through contagious diseases,” he said.
This comes as more cases have been reported since the first incidences were identified in May
