Stray livestock risks Namibia’s FMD-free status

Free-roaming livestock on Namibia’s roads are no longer just a traffic hazard but increasingly pose a serious threat as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) spreads aggressively in neighbouring South Africa.

Wildlife Vets Namibia warns that the country’s livestock sector, worth more than N$6 billion a year, relies heavily on its internationally recognised FMD-free status. Any breach in biosecurity could have devastating economic consequences.

The organisation warned that "when animals roam uncontrolled, they mix with other herds, move across grazing areas and travel long distances without supervision." This movement creates the perfect conditions for disease transmission. Should an FMD-infected animal enter the country and come into contact with free-roaming livestock, early detection would be extremely difficult. “If FMD enters our FMD-free zones, all exports will immediately be stopped, and it will take years to regain the FMD-free status,” Wildlife Vets stressed. It stressed that the first signs of FMD are subtle and easily overlooked. By the time symptoms are recognised, the infected animal may already have spread the virus widely.

FMD spreads through direct animal contact, contaminated vehicles and clothing, shared grazing areas and even short-distance aerosols. In an environment where livestock movement is not carefully checked, containing an outbreak would be significantly more challenging.

Defence gap - Namibia’s Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) operates a strict movement-control system based on permits and veterinary oversight. However, Wildlife Vets emphasised that the system can only function effectively if all livestock movements are regulated. “Right now, however, nothing is being done about free-roaming cattle along Namibian roads,” the organisation said, describing the situation as a dangerous gap in Namibia’s defence against FMD.

Wildlife Vets is now calling on the public to assist authorities by remaining vigilant. Members of the public who encounter free-roaming livestock are urged to take clear photos or videos, record the location and forward the information to their local veterinarian. The information should then be submitted to the FMD task force for action. “If we do not collect proof, nothing will happen,” Wildlife Vets said. “Be on the lookout, take photos or videos as proof and provide these, together with locations, to your local veterinarian.”