WINDHOEK, Sept. 26 — Namibia’s government has partnered with livestock industry stakeholders to establish the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) support fund to mobilize financial resources to contain and eradicate the ongoing outbreak, a government official revealed in an update on Saturday.
In response to the growing threat posed by the disease, Acting Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform Charles Mubita issued an urgent appeal to the general public, private-sector entities, and international development partners to make financial contributions to the fund.
“We are appealing to the general public, public/private sector and the development partners to contribute to the FMD Support Fund as this will help the government to intensify measures necessary to deal effectively with the outbreak of the FMD,” he said.
Mubita highlighted that FMD has serious economic implications as it disrupts marketing, undermines food security, deprives families of income, and jeopardizes rural livelihoods, ultimately increasing unemployment. “This disease sees no boundaries; it is not discriminating, and it can affect any livestock wherever it is found,” he said.
Mubita meanwhile revealed that the analysis of data from the traceability system collected from the farm of origin to the surrounding areas is partially completed, as the 14-day incubation period is still ongoing.
“While surveillance shall continue, we will announce in due course the lifting of some restrictions in certain areas in line with the Animal Health Act, 1 of 2011, through a Veterinary Public Notice,” he said, urging Namibians to fully cooperate with the authorities during this period.(Namibia Daily News / Xinhua)
