March 25, 2025

Lumpy skin disease outbreak in Oshikoto region, Namibia results in 43 cattle deaths

An outbreak of lumpy skin disease has led to 196 reported cases and 43 cattle deaths in Namibia's Oshikoto region since November last year.

Chief animal health technician at the state veterinary office in Oshikoto, Lumeta Lomboleni, said the disease was first detected on November 8, 2024 in the Nehale Lyampingana constituency's Mangetti area. It has since spread across the region, with the highest number of cases reported in Omuntele, Omuthiya, Oniipa, Onayena, and Eengodi constituencies.

Lomboleni reported that 22 cattle deaths occurred in the Nehale Lyampingana constituency, where the outbreak began, while the remaining 21 deaths were recorded throughout the region.

Farmers have been urged to vaccinate their cattle to control the spread of the disease. Lomboleni advised those who can afford the vaccine to administer it as soon as possible or to visit local vaccination sites during the ongoing vaccination campaign in the region.

He stressed that vaccinated cattle should not be moved for 21 days to allow immunity to develop and to prevent further transmission. Farmers who have vaccinated their cattle themselves are required to present vaccination receipts and bottles along with travel permits when relocating their animals.

Farmers have also been encouraged to report any suspected cases to their nearest veterinary office and to bring their cattle to designated vaccination sites. The vaccination campaign is ongoing, and farmers have been urged to take their animals to the nearest cattle crush or other announced locations.

Lomboleni also warned against consuming meat from cattle that have died from lumpy skin disease due to potential toxicity.

- The Namibian