Daijiworld Media Network - Windhoek

Windhoek, Mar 21: Namibia has declared a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control area in the southern Kharas Region as a precautionary step to safeguard its disease-free status and maintain access to global export markets.

The move, announced by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, follows a Government Gazette notification issued on March 17. The designated control zone covers key border areas, including a 10-km stretch south of the Mata Mata border post to the Orange River, as well as a 10-km strip north of the Orange River extending toward the Atlantic coast, along with nearby communal lands and farms.

Officials clarified that the declaration does not indicate any outbreak of Foot-and-mouth disease in the country. Namibia continues to retain its FMD-free status without vaccination, a classification that enables access to premium international livestock markets.

According to spokesperson Romeo Muyunda, the measure is purely preventive, aimed at reducing the risk of disease introduction amid increased regional activity in neighboring countries.

Livestock owners and farmers within the control area have been directed to follow strict biosecurity and disease-control protocols to protect animal health and prevent potential spread.

Namibia’s FMD-free zone is maintained in accordance with standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health, which require robust infrastructure such as veterinary fences, controlled entry points, and monitoring systems to ensure compliance and sustain export credibility.