Source:
FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf has praised Namibia for acting swiftly and effectively to halt the spread of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) in the country during recent outbreaks. Alertness and prompt reactions by national livestock bodies prevented potentially devastating consequences on lives, livelihoods and food security.
Speaking at a meeting in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry in Windhoek, Diouf praised the Namibian institutions involved. "Their alertness and prompt reaction prevented outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever in May 2010 from spreading, with potentially devastating consequences on lives, livelihoods and food security," Diouf said.
Diouf singled out the Meat Board of Namibia, the abattoirs where the disease was detected, the Directorate of Veterinary Services and the livestock farmers concerned.
The vigilance and response of the veterinary services was all the more remarkable, Diouf said, when considering that Rift Valley Fever emerged in Namibia after an absence of 25 years — almost all the staff involved had never had to fight the disease before.
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