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Namibia Faces Trade Suspension as //Kharas FMD Outbreak Reaches 79 Confirmed Cas
Namibia FMD Cases Rise to 79, Triggering Export Suspension
FMD cases in //Kharas have reached 79, forcing a suspension of Namibia’s FMD-free status and threatening vital international meat trade as containment efforts expand.
WINDHOEK — The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has confirmed that Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) cases in the //Kharas Region have increased to 79 across 11 farms in the Karasburg Veterinary District. The update was formally announced by Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani, who outlined a revised containment strategy to address the growing agricultural crisis.
First detected on 22 September 2026 in the Graswater area and confirmed as serotype SAT 1, the outbreak has led to the immediate suspension of Namibia’s relevant FMD-free status without vaccination. This development poses severe challenges for international market access, creating significant operational and commercial uncertainty for livestock producers, exporters, abattoirs, and meat processors.
The Ministry is currently negotiating with international trading partners to determine the regulatory status of meat consignments that were already in transit, recently delivered, or held in storage prior to the official outbreak declaration.
Disease Surveillance and Laboratory Findings:
According to data released by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), a total of 531 laboratory samples have been processed as of 2 October 2026:
79 samples tested positive for FMD.
450 samples tested negative.
1 sample remains unconfirmed pending final analysis.
To track the path of infection, 13 specialized veterinary teams have inspected 15,096 animals across 66 farms within a 30-to-50-kilometer radius of the initial site. The DVS expects to complete inspections on the remaining 15 targeted farms by 5 October 2026.
Revised Disease Containment Strategy and Funding
To prevent the virus from spreading beyond the Karasburg district, the Ministry is executing an updated containment framework:
Peripheral Vaccination Program: Veterinary officers will administer vaccines to eligible livestock starting from the outer boundary of the designated containment zone and moving inward toward the epicenter. Farmers are strictly prohibited from conducting independent vaccinations or animal movements.
Targeted Culling: Authorized destruction of infected livestock will be carried out under strict DVS oversight.
Disease-Control Fencing: The construction of 290 kilometers of new physical fencing running from Ariamsvlei through Karasburg to Ai-Ais to enforce movement controls.
Implementing these urgent measures requires a total allocation of N190,185,580.87, which includes N47,017,591.50 dedicated specifically to border infrastructure and control barriers.
Minister Zaamwani urged all livestock producers, transporters, and industry partners to adhere fully to quarantine protocols, warning that strict compliance with movement restrictions remains vital to safeguarding the national herd.
