The Otjinene Constituency has acquired a vaccine worth more than N$500,000, with assistance from the Omaheke Regional Council, to fight the outbreak of lumpy skin disease that has invaded the constituency.

According to the Otjinene constituency councillor, Erwin Katjizeu, the area has been placed under cattle movement restriction since the beginning of this month as a result of the outbreak of the lumpy skin disease among cattle.

This has deprived most farming communities of their livelihood, as most of them depend on income earned from livestock rearing and marketing.

Katjizeu added that veterinary directorate teams were dispatched to assist with the vaccination of cattle in the constituency.

The state veterinarian at Otjinene, Dr. Paaka Kapimbua, acknowledged that the disease poses serious threats to animals and inhabitants; hence, it is required for the farmers to report all sick animals so that they get assistance without delay.

Local farmers welcomed the initiative from the Omaheke Regional Council.

Dr. Kapimbua says the Otjinene livestock lumpy vaccination campaign is targeting to inject close to 40,000 cattle in the area before the end of this month.

Animal movement restrictions remain in place.