WINDHOEK, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) issued a warning to farmers on Thursday night following the outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in several areas.
There have been 73 confirmed cases of the disease, a debilitating viral infection that affects cattle, in the Otjombinde Constituency within the Epukiro Veterinary District in the Omaheke Region of eastern Namibia, Johannes Shoopala, acting chief veterinary officer at the DVS, said in a statement.
"LSD is a state-controlled disease, and wherever it occurs, it must be reported to the nearest state veterinarian," he said.
According to Shoopala, LSD is transmitted by blood-feeding insects such as flies, mosquitoes, and ticks.
He noted that depending on the epidemiological situation of the area, local state veterinarians are empowered by law to implement control measures to safeguard the livestock industry, which may include quarantine of the affected area, vaccination of all in-contact animals with the recommended vaccine, and treatment of all animals showing symptoms of LSD.
"The directorate is strongly advising farmers countrywide to vaccinate their cattle against LSD, control biting insects, and report any suspected LSD case to their nearest state veterinary services office as required by law," Shoopala added.
Namibia exports beef to the European Union, Norway, China, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. ■
