The Namibian government has decided against culling cattle affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), opting instead for a vaccination campaign. Agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani announced the decision in the National Assembly on Wednesday, stating that the window for culling had expired. According to Zaamwani, Cabinet considered both culling and vaccination after a meeting on Sunday to determine the best course of action.
Zaamwani explained that culling is most effective when carried out within 24 to 48 hours after FMD is detected. However, the government is now seven days beyond that period, making culling no longer a viable option. The minister said that while culling can be effective in a specific area, it is not feasible in the current situation. Instead, the government will focus on cordoning off the affected area and launching a vaccination campaign.
The vaccination campaign will utilize 100,000 doses of FMD vaccine, which have already been transported from the Zambezi region to the south. However, authorities are now searching for suitable cold storage facilities to accommodate the large quantity of vaccines. Zaamwani confirmed that vaccination was agreed upon as the preferred response at a meeting held on Wednesday.
The outbreak and possible source of the virus were questioned by National Unity Democratic Organisation chief whip Vetaruhe Kandorozu in the National Assembly on Wednesday. Zaamwani responded that investigations are ongoing, particularly along the Orange River, where cattle are exposed to high-risk grazing conditions when water levels are low. She mentioned that there are two farms between the river and investigations are being conducted by the relevant authorities.
Zaamwani emphasized that the immediate priority is containing the outbreak through vaccination. She did not provide further details on the investigations, citing concerns that it may compromise the ongoing probe. The minister assured that the government is working to prevent the spread of the disease and protect the country's livestock.
The decision to opt for vaccination rather than culling has been taken to mitigate the impact of the outbreak on the country's cattle population. Zaamwani's announcement comes as a relief to farmers who would have been affected by the culling of their cattle. The government is working to implement the vaccination campaign as soon as possible to prevent further spread of the disease.
The Namibian government is taking measures to control the outbreak and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the country. With the vaccination campaign underway, authorities are hopeful that the situation will be brought under control soon. The incident highlights the importance of disease control measures in the livestock sector and the need for swift action in response to outbreaks.
Key points
- The Namibian government has opted for vaccination rather than culling cattle affected by foot-and-mouth disease.
- The decision was made after the window for culling expired, and vaccination was deemed the most viable option.
- The government has 100,000 doses of FMD vaccine available for the vaccination campaign.
