The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has reaffirmed its commitment to containing outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the //Kharas and Zambezi regions, stressing that the two outbreaks are unrelated and are being managed through targeted disease-control measures.
During its first planned weekly FMD briefing, the ministry said the outbreaks pose significant risks to livestock farmers, the agricultural sector, trade, businesses, employment and rural livelihoods. Weekly updates will now be held every Wednesday to keep the public informed about disease-control efforts and developments.
Since the first case was confirmed on 23 September 2026, veterinary authorities have intensified surveillance, livestock tracing investigations and movement controls in the affected area. As of 14 October, officials had inspected 63 011 animals, with 131 testing positive for the SAT 1 strain of FMD across 18 infected farms. The outbreak remains confined to the Karasburg State Veterinary District.
A second round of surveillance is currently underway, extending up to 50 kilometres from the original outbreak location. Authorities have also maintained 18 veterinary roadblocks across the //Kharas, Khomas and Otjozondjupa regions, while a Namibian Defence Force drone team has begun monitoring compliance in the outbreak zone.
Compulsory vaccination against FMD commenced on 14 October in the Karasburg district and will be conducted in three phases over the next three months. The ministry emphasised that only veterinary officials may administer vaccinations, as FMD is a state-controlled animal disease.
In addition, plans are underway to construct an animal disease-control fence from Klein Manasse near Aroab to Naute Dam and onward to the Fish River Canyon to help contain the spread of the disease.
The outbreak in the Zambezi Region was confirmed on Kalala Island on 6 October. According to the ministry, no new clinical cases had been reported by 13 October, and surveillance teams found no additional lesions during inspections of 6 226 cattle at 17 crush pens.
Emergency vaccination campaigns have already reached more than 10 000 cattle in the area, with a broader strategic vaccination programme scheduled to continue until 21 October. Five strategic roadblocks are also being established at key locations across the region to strengthen movement control measures.
Although investigations have found no epidemiological connection between the outbreaks in //Kharas and Zambezi, authorities cautioned that Zambezi remains vulnerable because of resident buffalo populations, known carriers of the virus, and ongoing FMD outbreaks in neighbouring countries.
The ministry urged farmers, livestock owners and the public to remain vigilant and report suspected illegal movement of animals, meat and meat products. It also called on the media to assist in sharing accurate and verified information to support compliance with disease-control measures.
Authorities say they will continue monitoring both outbreaks closely and implementing measures aimed at preventing further spread of the disease.
By Rudi Bowe
