The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform has announced livestock movement restrictions in the Ohangwena and Kavango West regions, following a new threat from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

The announcement follows reports of an African buffalo sighting, first at Oshikunde Constituency in Ohangwena on 2 May, before the animal moved eastward to be sighted later in the month, at Omupanda Village in Okongo Constituency.

FMD is a known carrier of African buffaloes.

The animal was sighted having crossed to Kavango West, at Wiwi Village in the Mpungu Constituency of the Kavango West region, this week.

The country has issued precautionary measures to be adhered to until further notice.

These include completely restricting the movement of susceptible animals to all areas of the Oshikunde and Okongo Constituencies in Ohangwena and all areas under the Mpungu Constituency in Kavango West.

Movement of processed, ready-to-eat products is allowed into and out of the restricted areas.

Roadblocks will be set up at strategic points to ensure compliance.