The Namibian Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry Permanent Secretary Andrew Ndishishi made the announcement in a media statement.
However, Ndishishi said, products that are processed, resulting in the inactivation of the FMD virus and fresh, or frozen pork derived from pig production compartments that are designated as FMD-free by the veterinary authorities of South Africa, are exempted from the ban. The restriction includes cloven-hoofed animals and their fresh produce. Six clinical cases were detected out of a susceptible population of 682 cattle, Ndishishi said.
Ndishishi noted further that the outbreak has occurred in the FMD protection zone in which cattle are routinely vaccinated against the disease. The affected cattle have since been quarantined and vaccination is planned. Since the outbreak has occurred in the vaccinated protection zone of South Africa, Ndishishi said, it does not affect the FMD status of the rest of the country. However, South Africa remains under international trade restrictions following the diagnosis of FMD in KwaZulu-Natal in February 2011. Africareview.com reports that the outbreak was detected on Dec. 30 2011 adjacent to the Kruger National Park.
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