Namibia is intensifying efforts to safeguard its internationally recognised foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-free zone following rising outbreaks in the Southern African region.

Health authorities say Namibia detected and treated 36 leprosy cases last year. 

Two more people have died of cholera in Zambia, while 21 remain admitted to hospital as the disease has continued to spread to other parts of the country.

This brings the total number of deaths to five since the disease broke out in August.