Lumpy Skin Disease Kills Over 1 500 Cattle

The lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreak has spread across the country, with 18 cases in state veterinary districts and 1 521 deaths countrywide.

Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform chief veterinary officer Dr Johannes Shoopala said this last week.

Shoopala said 7 127 clinical cases have been reported across the country.

“The current LSD outbreak is notably more widespread and severe compared to previous incidents in the country,” he said. The Kavango East and West, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, and Ohangwena regions are the regions accounting for the majority of reported cases and fatalities.

Shoopala added that the LSD outbreak is of national concern, with variable intensity in the regions.

According to him, the ministry has intensified disease surveillance and livestock movement.

He said a vaccination campaign to contain further spread has been launched.

By 8 May, 414 670 head of cattle had been vaccinated, he said.

“Of these, 325 428 animals were vaccinated by government teams with government purchases of vaccines. Vaccination by the government has been focused primarily in areas that reported the highest numbers of LSD,” said Shoopala.

Farmers vaccinated an additional 89 251 head of cattle.

This follows intensive awareness of the disease by the Directorate of Veterinary Services and other stakeholders.

“The directorate continues to engage with farmers and communities, offering technical support and disease management guidance,” said Shoopala.

He added that other control measures include movement restriction targeted vaccination protocols.

“All cattle destined for export are required to be vaccinated against LSD at least 12 days, and not more than twelve months, prior to export, in line with the international health certification standards. These numbers aim to ensure the safety of Namibian meat products, reassuring trading partners and preventing further economic disruption in the livestock sectors,” said Shoopala.

Paulus Wilhelm, a farmer in the Kavango East region, says he lost six head of cattle to LSD. “I had to buy vaccines from a pharmacy and take them to my cattle post. There, I carried out intense vaccinations, and those that were affected survived. At my other cattle post in the Ohangwena region, currently I have two head of cattle affected, but I decided not to vaccinate because I don’t think they will survive , it’s too late”.

He says another farmer at the Likokela cattle post lost about ten head of cattle due to LSD.

“It’s really sad to see how people lose their livelihood due to LSD”.

Joshua Hailume, also a farmer, says his cattle were also affected but survived.

“Thanks to the vaccination initiative and awareness campaigns on the radio, I acted on time,” he says.

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