Cases of the lumpy skin disease first detected at Otjiuapehuri Village in the Otjombinde Constituency of the Omaheke Region last month, are decreasing as no new cases have been recorded for the past two weeks. Lumpy skin disease is a viral disease of cattle that is spread by biting insects, characterised by nodules on the skin and other parts of the body. Deputy Chief Veterinarian Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, Dr Johannes Shoopala said after it was detected, the disease was confirmed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory on 12 February 2021 and at the end of February, they had recorded 30 cases and one death in Otjiuapehuri and one case at Otjovakombe bringing the total cases to 31. Shoopala further informed NAMPA that although no new cases were recorded in Otjiuapehuri, two new cases were recorded at Otjovakombe, one at Otjondondu and two at Eiseb Pos 4. He said cases have since reduced from 31 active cases recorded within the first week to the current 28 active cases. “The disease has not been confirmed in other parts of the country,” he said. Shoopala said there is no specific treatment for the disease, and urged farmers to administer non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and antibiotics to control secondary bacterial infection and provide good nursing care should cattle show clinical signs. The Directorate of Veterinary Services, he added has instituted numerous control measures including the suspension of cattle movement and cattle gatherings in Eiseb till further notice, but will allow controlled movement of cattle from and into Eiseb provided that proof of a 21-day post-vaccination is presented to the Epukiro state veterinarian. “Cattle destined for direct slaughter for events such as funerals or weddings are allowed provided prior arrangements have been made with Epukiro State Veterinary Office,” said Shoopala. Farmers in Eiseb were also urged to vaccinate all cattle above six months of age against the skin disease and to control biting insects, such as mosquitoes and to report all suspected lumpy skin disease cases to the local veterinary office. According to Shoopala, approximately 40% of the farmers in Eiseb have vaccinated their cattle. “We are expecting the number of cases to decrease with adequate vaccination coverage,” he said. -NAMPA