Namibian Government Seeks N$190.2 Million to Contain Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in //Kharas
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has identified a funding requirement of N$190.19 million to strengthen efforts to contain the ongoing Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the Karasburg Veterinary District of the //Kharas Region.
Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani said the funding is needed to implement critical disease-control measures, including intensified surveillance, livestock tracing, laboratory testing, movement controls, targeted culling and vaccination of eligible animals within the designated containment zone.
The FMD outbreak was first detected on 22 September 2026 during routine clinical surveillance at a farm in the Graswater area. Laboratory tests subsequently confirmed the presence of FMD serotype SAT 1.
According to the ministry’s latest update issued on 3 October, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) had received 531 samples for laboratory analysis as of 2 October. Of these, 79 samples tested positive across 11 farms, while 450 tested negative. One sample remained unconfirmed at the time of the statement.
The ministry said the confirmed infections remain concentrated within the Karasburg State Veterinary District, although investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the outbreak and whether livestock movements contributed to possible exposure beyond the affected farms.
To strengthen surveillance, the DVS has deployed 13 surveillance teams in the affected areas. By 2 October, veterinary officials had inspected 15,096 animals and 66 of 81 targeted farms, with the remaining 15 farms expected to be inspected by 5 October.
Investigations into livestock movements linked to 47 establishments within a 30-kilometre radius of affected areas have also been conducted, with tracing extending to approximately 50 kilometres from affected premises.
Vaccination to form part of revised response
The government has revised its disease-control strategy to include vaccination of eligible livestock within the designated containment zone.
The vaccination campaign is expected to move from the periphery of the containment zone towards the epicentre, with the aim of strengthening protection around the affected area while limiting further transmission.
The vaccination programme will be implemented alongside targeted culling, increased surveillance and strict livestock movement controls.
The ministry has warned farmers against conducting vaccination, moving animals or implementing other disease-control measures without approval from veterinary authorities.
It said the removal of infected livestock, where ordered by veterinary officials, remains an important part of the response. The government is working on the necessary notices, logistics and operational arrangements to facilitate the destruction of infected animals.
N$47 million earmarked for disease-control fence
Of the N$190.19 million funding requirement, approximately N$47.02 million has been earmarked for the construction of about 290 kilometres of new fencing.
The proposed fence would run from Ariamsvlei through Karasburg to Ai-Ais and is intended to strengthen the separation between the containment zone and surrounding areas while supporting the enforcement of livestock movement restrictions.
The ministry said the overall financial requirement reflects the scale of the response and the additional logistical and institutional resources needed to contain the outbreak.
FMD status suspended, threatening market access
The outbreak has also affected Namibia’s international livestock trade.
Namibia’s FMD-free zone without vaccination has historically supported access to international markets for livestock and livestock products. The confirmation of FMD within the recognised free zone has resulted in the suspension of the country’s relevant FMD-free status.
The development could have significant consequences for farmers, livestock producers, exporters, abattoirs, meat processors and other businesses that rely on access to domestic and international markets.
The ministry said it is engaging trading partners regarding consignments that were already in transit, had recently arrived or were in storage before the outbreak was officially announced.
The government has urged farmers, livestock traders, transporters, auctioneers, abattoirs and other stakeholders to cooperate fully with veterinary authorities.
Farmers have also been instructed to comply with quarantine orders and movement restrictions, provide accurate information about livestock movements, facilitate veterinary inspections and immediately report animals showing signs associated with FMD.
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