Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has been detected in the country's FMD-free zone after 10 cattle tested positive at a commercial farm in the Karasburg State Veterinary District in the ||Kharas Region.

The Acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Charles Mubita confirmed the cases following routine surveillance by veterinary officials.

Samples were collected from 11 cattle showing clinical signs consistent with FMD on 22 September.

A laboratory test conducted at the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Windhoek confirmed 10 positive cases on Wednesday.

Acting Minister of MAFWLR Charles Mubita stressed, "The outbreak has prompted the Ministry to impose immediate control measures under the Animal Health Act. These include suspending the movement of cloven-hoofed animals and their products across the country, as well as imports and exports of all cloven-hoofed animals until further notice." 

The Directorate of Veterinary Services is expected to issue a veterinary public notification detailing the control measures.

The Ministry warns that the outbreak could have serious implications for livestock farmers and the national economy, particularly through the suspension of livestock marketing locally and internationally.

Farmers, livestock industry stakeholders and the public have been urged to cooperate with veterinary authorities to contain the disease.