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Namibia and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) recognized bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) negligible risk country since 2016; and the have been at the forefront of policies and strategies to combat TADs
On Sunday, veterinary authorities from five Southern African nations gathered in Namibia to address the growing threat of transboundary animal diseases (TADs) in the region.
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Speaking at the opening of the workshop Sunday, Namibia's Chief Veterinary Officer Albertina Shilongo said the border harmonization meeting, taking place from Sept. 24 to 27, represents a significant step towards safeguarding animal health and promoting regional cooperation. The five Southern African countries are Namibia, Angola, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The primary focus of the gathering is to combat TADs, such as contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP), foot and mouth disease (FMD), rabies, peste des petits ruminants (PPR), and the rising concern of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), Shilongo said.
These diseases not only threaten the health of animals but also the livelihoods of communities dependent on livestock, she added.
According to Shilongo, the key objectives include creating a unified strategy to combat CBPP, enhancing border cooperation to prevent disease spread and ensuring the safe trade of animals and animal products without introducing diseases to new areas.
Namibia and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) recognized bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) negligible risk country since 2016; and the have been at the forefront of policies and strategies to combat TADs.
#Trypanasomiasis puts around 50 million cattle at risk.35 million trypanocide doses are used annually & 3 million cattle deaths reported annually. The resulting agricultural production loss is estimated at a staggering US$ 5 billion per year.
— World Organisation for Animal Health in Africa (@WOAH_Africa) September 20, 2023
Read more: https://t.co/oUGWeqtFrJ pic.twitter.com/nSZERlHLFP
According to Shilongo, the country's efforts include a Policy on Eradication of Transboundary Animal Disease in the Northern Communal Areas, endorsed control programs by the WOAH, and the historic endorsement of the Namibia Rabies Official Control Program by the WOAH in May 2021.
She emphasized that effectively addressing these diseases necessitates collaboration with neighboring countries, especially given porous borders and shared ethnic communities.
Furthermore, Shilongo also stated that coordinated efforts, harmonized strategies, surveillance protocols, and adherence to international standards laid out by the WOAH are all seen as essential components of success.
Official data shows that the collective strengths of these robust veterinary authorities will significantly enhance animal health in the region, ultimately opening doors for livestock producers in the market.
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