NAMIBIA: LIVESTOCK/NBC/22/2/17 SABANews 1
WINDHOEK – The government of NAMIBIA says it is still working around the clock to contain the outbreak of lumpy skin disease in cattle.
The disease broke out early last month in OTJITUUO communal area of the OKAKARARA Constituency in the OTJOZONDJUPA Region, and has spread to the neighbouring OKONDJATU communal area.
The State says it has so far secured lumpy skin disease vaccines worth 400-THOUSAND NAMIBIA dollars to help fight the outbreak.
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer JOHN SHOPALA says a team of veterinary officials are vaccinating cattle free.
He says they will vaccinate about 14-THOUSAND cattle in OTJITUUO and OKONDJATU communal areas, to prevent the lumpy skin disease from becoming endemic.
Mr SHOPALA says the prevention of the disease will ensure the national meat industry is protected and export demand maintained.
He therefore, appeals to full and part-time farmers to liaise with the veterinary office at OKAKARARA to help fight the outbreak.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services has imposed a number of restrictions, mainly cattle sales, movement and gathering, in an effort to control and contain the lumpy skin disease.
The authorities in NAMIBIA say they will only lift the measures once they have defeated the outbreak of the lumpy skin disease, which is transmitted from one animal to another through mosquito bites.