The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform has urged the farming community not to panic amidst the outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease in some SADC countries.
 
The disease has been confirmed in South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
 
Zamwaani was speaking at Otjiwarongo over the weekend, where she stated that while vigilance is necessary, Namibia's animal health systems remain prepared and capable of responding effectively to any potential risks.
 
She urged farmers to be on high alert.
 
Zaamwani added that the ministry will soon issue an official statement outlining the measures the government is putting in place to prevent the possible entry of FMD from neighbouring countries currently experiencing the outbreak.
 
She urged Namibia to support its neighbours experiencing the outbreak.
 
FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral infection that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and various wildlife species.
 
The country last experienced the outbreak in 2022 in the Zambezi Region.