Buffalo Sparks FMD Fears
NAMIBIA - The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) is waiting for laboratory results to confirm the Foot and Mouth Disease(FMD) status of a buffalo that was killed over the weekend at Otjituuo, south of the veterinary red line.
8 February 2012
1 minute read
The beast was gunned down by a team of veterinary, wildlife and police officials after it was found roaming in the Otjituuo Communal Area.
According the Ministry, the buffalo might be part of the FMD-free buffalo's in the Waterberg Plateau Park.
"Samples have been taken from the animal and will be analysed over the next few days to confirm the animal's FMD status as well as its origin," stated the ministry.
In order to protect the meat industry and the interests of importing countries, people in the following areas: Okakarara, Okondjatu, Otjituuo, Okamatapati, Gam, Epukiro, Otjinene, Otjombinde, Eiseb and those close two commercial farms bordering the restricted areas in Otjiwarongo, Grootfontein, Okahandja and Gobabis veterinary districts may not move their cloven animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, game and pigs.
The MAWF has restricted these areas with immediate effect for a minimum of 21 days.
TheCattleSite News Desk
