Namibia Halts Livestock Movement After Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak in Disease-Free Zone

Namibia has suspended the movement, import and export of cloven-hoofed animals and their products nationwide after confirming an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease inside its internationally recognised disease-free zone.

Acting Agriculture Minister Charles Mubita told parliament on Wednesday that the disease was detected during routine surveillance on a commercial farm in the southern Kharas Region, which borders South Africa.

He said 10 of 11 samples collected on September 22 from cattle showing symptoms returned positive results the following day, confirming an active outbreak.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection that mainly affects cattle, causing painful blisters in the mouth and on the hooves. It is not often fatal, particularly among adult cattle, but it reduces livestock productivity.

The suspension covers the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products across the country, along with imports and exports of such animals, and will remain in place until further notice. Mubita said the measures would carry serious economic consequences.

The outbreak comes as neighbouring South Africa battles its worst foot-and-mouth outbreak in years and plans to vaccinate 80% of its national cattle herd of about 14 million animals.