Livestock vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) commenced on Monday in the Kabbe South Constituency of the Zambezi region.

This follows recent confirmation of FMD at Kalala Island in the same contiguity.

In terms of the Animal Health Act of 2011, veterinary officials are required to investigate the area within a 30-kilometre radius of an identified outbreak to determine whether the disease has spread beyond the initial location.

According to the latest findings, the disease has so far been detected in one area, prompting a ban on sales and movement of cloven hooved animals, as veterinary officials intensify investigations and vaccination efforts.

The vaccination exercise is expected to conclude on 26 October, with possible vaccination of the wider region thereafter set to commence.

Authorities say the exact source of the outbreak has not yet been established. However, preliminary investigations indicate that the affected farmers had not vaccinated their cattle since October last year.

Farmers across the affected area have been urged to remain patient and cooperate with veterinary teams as authorities assess the extent of the outbreak.

Butcheries and the wider community have received the news with growing concern.

"This disease is bringing us a challenge because cattle farming is our major source of income. With this situation, we cannot sell meat or sell cattle anymore. So I am really asking our government to tighten control measures at our border posts so this disease does not spread further, especially now that we have vaccinated our cattle," added farmer Cornelius Mukela.

"Where I live we do not have access to electricity, so I had not seen the news. As I was coming to town to sell my chilli bites at the court, that's when I heard that meat has been banned, and the second thing is that we have not heard for how long the meat will be closed. My appeal is that they should not prolong the period because we small business owners will be heavily affected," stressed trader Mwaka Lyuma.

Bernas Butchery Manager, Adlenda Awases, says they employ about 20 workers and have to pay N$ 20,000 in rent.

"We are making our own products here, where we manufacture our products. We don't export from other towns or South Africa; we make our own handmade products ourselves here. So really for the community it is not good, really. That last stock that we are having is what we are selling out, really; it has affected us, and we have to pay rent and salaries. Really, it is not a good thing."