Govt lifts ban on foot & mouth disease

Ministry of Agriculture has lifted a ban imposed due to foot and mouth disease in Nsanje district, Lower Shire Agriculture Development Division.

In a statement, Principal Secretary in the ministry Erica Maganga says the ministry has been monitoring the progress of the outbreak and no new cases have been recorded.

“We have successfully completed vaccinating cattle herds which were at risk of contracting the disease,” said Maganga.

The statement further says movement of livestock and their products as well as slaughtering can resume in markets around Nsanje.

Maganga has however advised livestock farmers to ensure that cattle do not graze very close to National Parks or Game Reserves to avoid mixing with buffaloes which are carriers of the virus that causes foot and mouth disease.