Namibia has established a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) control area in the southern Kharas Region to protect its FMD-free status and ensure access to global export markets. This declaration, effective immediately, delineates the control area in key border zones and communal lands in southern Namibia. The defined area encompasses a 10-km strip south of the Mata Mata border post to the Orange River, a 10-km strip north of the Orange River extending westward to the Atlantic Ocean, as well as communal settlements and adjacent farms within these zones.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform emphasized that this declaration does not indicate an FMD outbreak in Namibia. Namibia maintains its FMD-free status without vaccination, enabling it to reach premium international markets. The proactive measure aims to prevent FMD introduction, especially amidst heightened activity in neighboring countries, according to ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda.
To uphold livestock health, farmers and livestock owners within the designated control area must adhere to stringent disease control protocols. Namibia’s FMD-free zone aligns with the World Organisation for Animal Health Terrestrial Code, mandating infrastructure like veterinary fences, gates, and designated entry and exit points to facilitate regional and global market access.
