Vaccination: Take the bottles along!
All cattle to destined for export from Namibia must be vaccinated 21 days prior to export and export permits will be issued only upon proof of vaccination. That means you must take the empty vaccine bottles along as proof that your cattle have been vaccinated.
This follows an outbreak of the disease in January this year with more than 70 cases recorded in the Otjombinde Constituency in the Epukiro veterinary district in the Omaheke Region.
According to the Animal Health Act 1 of 2011, LSD is classified as a state-controlled disease and any cases must be reported to the nearest state veterinarian. The disease is caused by biting insects and affect cattle of all breeds and ages.
Livestock producers are strongly advised to vaccinate their entire cattle herds as soon as possible, regardless of whether they are located in infected areas. It is the responsibility of producers to prevent the spread of lumpy skin disease to other regions and to protect the export market.
The Namibian Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) issued a public notification on 15 February stating that all cattle destined for export must be vaccinated against lumpy skin disease at least 21 days, or a maximum of 12 months, prior to export. This applies to cattle from all regions.
The certificate will be issued by a veterinary official only if the empty vaccine bottles, along with the Treatment and Vaccination Register showing the animal’s identification are provided. This measure is immediately applicable and applies to cattle from all regions.
Export permits will only be issued upon proof of vaccination.
The Livestock Producers Organisation is presently working with auction agents and other stakeholders to develop a practical plan for vaccinating animals destined for the export market in the coming weeks. Discussions with export abattoirs are also underway to align export requirements with current DVS control measures. Guidelines will be communicated to produces once these are in place.
The DVS notification also specifies that, as of 13 March 2025, animals in certain areas, including Okakarara, Grootfontein, Nkurenkuru, Ondangwa, and Epukiro, will only be granted movement permits if it can be proven that these animals were vaccinated at least 21 days or a maximum of 12 months before movement. Animals that show no signs of lumpy skin disease that are being transported directly to abattoirs will be exempt.
Certification
Implementation of a Lumpy Skin Disease Vaccination certificate, 14 February https://mcusercontent.com/e4d3c22d26728a5c0b2518283/files/75a177bf-f095-fcbb-ea74-83e6af483de9/IMPLEMENTATION_OF_A_LUMPY_SKIN_DISEASE_VACCINATION_CERTIFICATE_1_.pdf
Updated control measures of Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak in Namibia, 13 February https://mcusercontent.com/e4d3c22d26728a5c0b2518283/files/4db3df07-4f49-51eb-a0ef-581670f87e15/Veterinary_Public_Notification_no._04_of_2025.pdf?utm_source=NLU+%7C+NAU+members&utm_campaign=31a8b05768-EMAILCAMPAIGN_weeklynewsletter_21-february-2025_CO&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd6124c988-31a8b05768-549248013&ct=t(EMAILCAMPAIGN_weeklynewsletter_21-february-2025_CO)
Animal Treatment and Vaccination Register https://mcusercontent.com/e4d3c22d26728a5c0b2518283/files/7db69e04-7d6f-db20-de9b-49c9074eebc2/Animal_Treatment_and_Vaccination_Register.pdf?utm_source=NLU+%7C+NAU+members&utm_campaign=31a8b05768-EMAILCAMPAIGN_weeklynewsletter_21-february-2025_CO&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd6124c988-31a8b05768-549248013&ct=t(EMAILCAMPAIGN_weeklynewsletter_21-february-2025_CO)
Source reference
Lumpy skin disease update (21 February 2025). LumpySkin_NAUnews_21February2025.pdf
