Namibia suspends livestock movement after foot-and-mouth outbreak in disease-free zone

WINDHOEK, Sept 23 (Reuters) – Namibia has detected an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in its internationally recognised disease-free zone, ​prompting authorities to suspend the ‌movement, import and export of cloven-hoofed animals and their products.

• Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral infection that mainly affects cattle, causing ‌painful ​blisters in the mouth ⁠and on hooves. ⁠Although it is not often fatal, especially among adult cattle, it affects livestock productivity.

• Acting Agriculture Minister Charles Mubita ​told parliament on Wednesday that the disease was detected during routine surveillance ⁠on a commercial farm ⁠in the southern Kharas Region.