Western Province PS calls for more sensitisation on poaching

WESTERN Province Permanent Secretary, Simomo Akapelwa says there is need for people to be sensitised on the dangers of poaching.

Mr Akapelwa said risk behaviors such as poaching of wild animals which are infected with Anthrax subsequently lead to the spread of the disease.

He says it is imperative that people are educated on the dangers of poaching wild animals for survival, adding that Anthrax is a disease that does not only infect animals but humans too.

ZANIS reports that Mr Akapelwa was speaking when officers from Veterinary Department, Break Through Action and Ministry of Green Economy and Environment paid a courtesy call on him in Mongu today.

Mr Akapelwa said the drought that the country is currently experiencing will lead to less food production and less grazing grass, a situation which will attract the spread of Anthrax.

“Less rain, less food will lead people to poaching for survival,” he said.

Provincial Veterinary Officer, Steven Tembo said it is important that Break Through Action is supporting the government's intervention to disseminate information to achieve social behavioral change.

Dr Tembo said social behavioral change in Western Province will be centered on controlling zoonotic diseases such as Anthrax.

“The drivers of Anthrax in this province are mainly due to behavior by humans. If we can work around to change the behavior of farmers and the consumers because with the contact and consumption that is how our people are affected by Anthrax and Rabies,” He said.

Meanwhile, Break Through Action Risk Communication and Community Engagement Officer, Felix Mpundu said the one health concept has three facets which is human, animal and the environmental health.

Mr Mpundu said his organization has been involved in advocacy programmes in order to equip people with the knowledge of dealing with zoonotic diseases.