N/WEST LIVESTOCK DEPARTMENT PROBES CATTLE DISEASE

TH E DEPARTMENT of Livestock in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries in North-Western Province says it will soon go on the ground to collect samples and verify reports of suspected black leg cattle disease which has broken out in NyantandaNyambingila area in Chavuma district.

Provincial veterinary officer Peter Banda said in an interview yesterday that his office had already informed the Ministry headquarters in Lusaka to source for resources to enable the officers verify the reports.

He said officers were unable to go on the ground and verify and collect the samples despite farmers reporting about the disease.

"A report has been submitted to the ministry headquarters and as soon as we get a response, we should be moving in to go on the ground and verify the reports and collect samples," Dr Banda said.

He urged livestock farmers to be alert and report any suspected animal disease to the veterinary offices so that officers can quickly move in and intervene.

And Dr Banda has disclosed that the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) which broke out in some parts of Kabompo, Zambezi and Chavuma late last year has been eradicated.

He said this followed the move by the Government to deliver 20, 000 doses of vaccines to eradicate the disease in the three districts.

A fortnight ago, Nyantanda-Nyambingila Ward councillor Tobias Kambeu told the Daily Nation that over 81 cattle have died in the area following the outbreak if the suspected black leg in the area.