Namibia: President Addresses Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak Response

High-level address by H.E. Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, President of the Republic of Namibia, on the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the Karasburg Veterinary District of the //Kharas Region has brought uncertainty and distress to farmers, workers and businesses across our livestock industry. Livelihoods are at stake. Government is acting to contain the disease, and I call on every Namibian to support this effort. The livestock and meat industry is one of the cornerstones of our economy. From the farmer and farmworker to the transporter, processor and exporter, its value chain sustains families and communities far beyond the affected areas. Protecting that value chain is a national responsibility. Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines Our immediate task is clear. We must contain the outbreak, prevent its spread and protect unaffected herds, so that normal production and trade can resume as quickly and safely as possible. The outbreak was confirmed on 23 September 2026 through laboratory testing of samples collected during veterinary surveillance. Namibia has experience in responding to foot-and-mouth disease in the zone north of the Veterinary Cordon Fence. We must now draw on that experience and ensure that our response meets the demands of this outbreak. When the disease was detected, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform and I were attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Our response mechanisms were activated immediately. I thank the Acting Minister, Dr. Charles Mubita, the Ministry's leadership, veterinary officials and all personnel who acted promptly and continue to work under difficult conditions. As confirmed cases increased, I directed the Joint Cabinet Committee to convene urgently on 3 October 2026. Cabinet met the following day to assess the situation and determine the interventions required under the Animal Health Act. As of 5 October 2026, surveillance teams have inspected 29,313 animals across 68 farms. There are 127 confirmed positive cases across 15 farms. Twenty surveillance teams have been constituted, and 10 roadblocks established across the //Kharas Region to support the response. Cabinet has directed the immediate implementation of the relevant provisions of the Animal Health Act and the strengthening of disease-control and biosecurity measures. The responsible institutions must act with urgency and coordinate their work to contain the outbreak. The Critical Containment Response Plan, approved by Cabinet on 4 October 2026, includes establishing a containment buffer zone in the Karasburg Veterinary District to prevent the disease from spreading to unaffected regions. It also provides for repairs to the Namibia-Botswana border fence and the erection of veterinary cordon fencing in high-risk areas along the border with South Africa to strengthen animal movement control. I recognise the strain that movement restrictions and disruptions to trade are placing on farmers, workers and businesses. For many families, this uncertainty concerns their next income and their ability to sustain their livelihoods. These concerns must remain central to our response. The measures we take now are necessary to prevent wider losses and safeguard the industry's recovery. We are also mindful of the financial pressures on farmers and businesses servicing loans with financial institutions. Government will continue to assess these effects and engage relevant stakeholders to ensure that this animal health crisis does not lead to prolonged financial distress for otherwise viable farmers and businesses. Through the Directorate of Veterinary Services, teams are conducting surveillance, testing, farm inspections and livestock movement tracing. Their findings will guide our decisions. Where conditions permit, restrictions may be adjusted. Where risks remain, controls will be maintained or strengthened. The Veterinary Public Notices issue