State keen to halt foot and mouth disease
GOVERNMENT says it has put in place stringent measures to prevent the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease which has broken out in Monze.
Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Permanent Secretary Dr. David Shamulenge says among the measures put in place included the ban on the movement of livestock, carcasses or products in and out of the District.
Dr. Shamulenge said that mounting of check points along the main roads, and the formation of District Disease Task force was aimed at containing and preventing the spread of the deadly livestock disease which had already put over 2 million animals in the province at risk.
Speaking during an emergency meeting with farmers in Monze over the weekend, Dr Shamulenge said the disease outbreak had been confirmed to be serotype O- like that which broke out in Chisamba.
Dr. Shamulenge also said Government has since commenced procurement of vaccines from Botswana in an effort to contain the disease which is spreading fast through the movement of animals.
“Government has put in place stringent measures to prevent the spread of the disease which has broken out in Monze District from spreading to other parts of the country.
And these measures include the banning livestock movement, ‘ he said.
He assured farmers in the five affected camps that President Edgar Lungu attached great importance to the Livestock sector and the farmers, hence the quick action by his ministry in taking measures in containing the disease outbreak.