Figures announced by Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on 6 October show a marked increase from the 79 FMD-positive samples across 11 farms reported by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Inge Zaamwani three days earlier.
Twenty surveillance teams had been constituted and 10 roadblocks established across the ǁKharas Region. As of 5 October, the teams had inspected 29 313 animals across 68 farms, with 127 confirmed cases across 15 farms.
The SAT1 FMD outbreak was initially detected during routine clinical surveillance in the Graswater area of the Karasburg State Veterinary District in late September.
Its location is particularly significant for South Africa because Karasburg lies in southern Namibia, close to the countries’ shared border, while livestock trade between the two nations forms an important component of the regional red meat value chain.
Border controls strengthened
The Cabinet of Namibia has now approved a critical containment response plan aimed at preventing the spread of the disease beyond the affected area.
The plan includes establishing a containment buffer zone in the Karasburg State Veterinary District, repairing sections of the Namibia–Botswana border fence, and erecting veterinary cordon fencing in high-risk areas along the Namibia–South African border.
According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, these measures are intended to strengthen animal movement control and protect livestock in areas not yet affected by FMD.
The Namibian government had earlier estimated that approximately R190 million is required for its critical containment response.
This included about R47 million for approximately 290km of new disease-control fencing along a proposed route from Ariamsvlei through Karasburg to Ai-Ais.
The new measures reinforce plans announced by Zaamwani on 3 October to introduce vaccination of eligible livestock within the designated containment zone, alongside targeted culling, intensified surveillance, and strict movement controls.
Vaccination is expected to proceed from the perimeter of the containment zone towards the epicentre of the outbreak.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has warned farmers not to vaccinate or move livestock without the involvement of the Directorate of Veterinary Services.
Trade consequences widen
The outbreak is also developing into a significant livestock-trade challenge.
Namibia’s status as FMD-free without vaccination has historically underpinned its access to international markets for livestock and livestock products. The detection of FMD within the recognised FMD-free zone has resulted in the suspension of this status.
The EU has since temporarily suspended the entry of fresh cattle, sheep, and goat meat from Namibia’s previously FMD-free zone, as well as certain processed meat products and relevant farmed and wild ungulates.
However, fresh meat consignments certified by Namibia’s veterinary authority before 23 September may still enter the EU during a 90-day transitional period calculated from 23 September, subject to the decisions of individual EU border control posts. Certain processed meat subjected to prescribed risk-mitigating treatment also remains eligible for entry.
Nandi-Ndaitwah acknowledged that livestock movement restrictions and trade disruptions are placing financial pressure on farmers, farmworkers, and businesses.
She said the government’s immediate priority is to contain the outbreak, prevent further spread of the disease, and protect unaffected herds so that normal production and trade can resume as quickly and safely as possible.
The disruption also has implications for South Africa, which imports weaner calves and slaughter sheep from Namibia. Prolonged restrictions on cross-border livestock movements could therefore affect local supplies and red meat markets.
Compliance and traceability
Nandi-Ndaitwah urged livestock owners, traders, transporters, and auctioneers to comply with movement restrictions and cooperate with veterinary teams.
She added that Namibia’s livestock traceability system remains central to tracing potentially exposed animals and informing further disease-control decisions.
