Namibia’s Directorate of Veterinary Services has confirmed an outbreak of African horse sickness, with 25 cases detected across the state veterinary districts of Otjinene, Windhoek, Okahandja, Omaruru, Gobabis, and Mariental.
In a public notice issued on Friday, Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Johannes Shoopala stated that immediate control measures had been introduced to curb the spread of the disease.
“These measures include the requirement for veterinary permits and full vaccination for all animals entering or leaving the affected districts. “Owners are strongly advised to vaccinate their animals, while quarantines have been established in the affected areas. Night stabling and the use of insect repellents are also being encouraged. Furthermore, horse racing and endurance events are discouraged, imports from infected countries have been banned, and the public is reminded of the existing animal movement permit regulations,”Shoopala said.
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He noted that the recommended vaccination window in Namibia runs from 1 June to 31 October.
African horse sickness is a non-contagious viral disease transmitted by midges, primarily affecting horses, donkeys, zebras, and other equine species. Symptoms include fever, breathing difficulties, coughing, sweating, and frothy nasal discharge. The disease can carry a mortality rate of up to 70 percent.
