# Foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Southern Africa > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreaks-in-southern-africa > Updated: 2026-10-06T12:58:15.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 8. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains a significant threat to livestock and food security in Southern Africa. In South Africa, a cattle epidemic has been driven by the spread of the disease from buffaloes in Kruger National Park to nearby cattle, following a breakdown of protection zones. In Namibia, an outbreak of the SAT 1 serotype in the Karasburg Veterinary District of the //Kharas region has triggered severe economic disruptions. Recent surveillance has reported 127 positive cases across 15 farms. Following the detection of positive samples, the World Organisation for Animal Health suspended the affected zone’s FMD-free status. This has led the European Union to suspend imports of fresh beef, sheep, and goat meat from the region, while the United Kingdom has also withdrawn authorization for fresh beef imports from the impacted area, threatening N$3.3 billion in annual export earnings. The Namibian government has approved a Critical Containment Response Plan, with Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani estimating the required cost at approximately N$190 million to N$200 million. Containment measures include establishing a buffer zone, implementing strict movement controls and roadblocks, and constructing a 290km disease-control fence from Ariamsvlei through Karasburg to Ai-Ais. The outbreak has already suspended cattle slaughter at facilities such as Savanna Beef, causing financial strain on local butcheries and farmers. As containment efforts intensify, the government has deployed 20 surveillance teams and 10 roadblocks. Officials are also working to repair the Namibia-Botswana border fence and erect veterinary cordon fencing along the South African border. While some trading has resumed for animals in quarantine, Minister Zaamwani noted that livestock auctions may only gradually resume once authorities are confident the outbreak is contained. ## Claims - The Ministry of Agriculture requires approximately N$190.2 million to contain the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak. (disputed) - The government has identified a total funding requirement of nearly N$200 million for the FMD containment response. (disputed) - The Directorate of Veterinary Services has suspended the nationwide movement, marketing, trade, import, export, and transit of all cloven-hoofed animals and their raw products. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) was detected on a commercial farm in the Karasburg State Veterinary District within the //Kharas Region. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Ten out of eleven cattle samples collected from animals showing clinical signs tested positive for the FMD virus. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Laboratory investigations confirmed the presence of the FMD serotype SAT-1. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The containment response includes constructing a 290km disease-control fence from Ariamsvlei through Karasburg to Ai-Ais. (corroborated by 2 sources) - A total of 79 samples tested positive for FMD across 11 farms. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The slaughter of cloven-hoofed animals has been halted at local and export abattoirs, informal markets, and social events. (single source) - Bank Windhoek has reaffirmed a N$2 million commitment to the national FMD Support Fund to support the agricultural sector. (single source) - Retailers have reported depleted red meat stocks as consumers purchase supplies in anticipation of shortages. (single source) - The outbreak was detected on 22 September 2026 during routine disease surveillance in the Karasburg State Veterinary District. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-06: Namibia intensifies containment of foot-and-mouth disease outbreak Namibia is implementing containment measures, including buffer zones and border fencing, to combat a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the Kharas Region that threatens international meat trade. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/namibia-intensifies-containment-of-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak ### 2026-10-04: Namibia faces FMD outbreak and EU beef import suspension Namibia faces a major economic threat as a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in the //Kharas Region triggers EU beef import suspensions and requires nearly N$200 million for containment. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/namibia-seeks-n190-million-to-contain-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak ### 2026-09-30: Namibia manages Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak to protect livestock sector Namibia is responding to a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in the Kharas Region, implementing movement controls while engaging with the EU to protect beef exports and the livestock value chain. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/namibia-manages-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak-to-protect-livestock-sector ### 2026-09-28: Namibia partially lifts foot-and-mouth disease restrictions Namibia is partially lifting foot-and-mouth disease restrictions north of the veterinary cordon fence, though the ||Kharas region remains under strict movement controls to contain a localized outbreak. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/namibia-partially-lifts-foot-and-mouth-disease-restrictions ### 2026-09-28: Namibia beef exports threatened by foot-and-mouth disease outbreak A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Namibia threatens N$3.3 billion in beef exports to Europe and the UK, forcing Savanna Beef to halt operations and prompting government emergency protocols. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/namibia-beef-exports-threatened-by-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak ### 2026-09-26: Namibia foot-and-mouth disease outbreak triggers meat panic A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Namibia's Karasburg district has triggered meat shortages and panic buying in cities like Windhoek following government restrictions on livestock movement. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/namibia-foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreak-triggers-meat-panic ### 2026-09-24: Namibia imposes nationwide livestock restrictions after FMD outbreak Namibia has imposed nationwide restrictions on cloven-hoofed animals following a Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak in the //Kharas Region, leading to meat shortages and trade suspensions. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/namibia-fmd-outbreak-triggers-meat-shortages-and-trade-restrictions ### 2026-09-09: South Africa faces cattle epidemic due to foot and mouth disease A breakdown in biosecurity and protection zones has led to a major foot and mouth disease epidemic in South African cattle, exacerbated by the inability of the state to effectively quarantine or vaccinate herds 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-africa-faces-cattle-epidemic-due-to-foot-and-mouth-disease --- Cite as: Foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Southern Africa. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/foot-and-mouth-disease-outbreaks-in-southern-africa