Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is over – govt
The foot and mouth disease outbreak which threatened at least 70,000 heads of cattle in the cattle heartland of the Lower Shire Valley of Malawi has been declared over by Ministry of Agriculture.
According to a statement issued by Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Erica Maganga, said they have also “successfully completed vaccination” of all livestock at risk.
“The current surveillance of the foot and mouth disease indicate that there are no more new cases detected in the outbreak area and that ninety days have elapsed since the last case was reported,” reads the statement.
The Ministry has also lifted the ban on livestock products movement in Chikhwawa.
“The public is further advised that only animals intended for slaughter at government recognised slaughter places will be allowed to leave the Lower Shire.”
Dr. Ben Chimera, the acting Head of Animal Health Services in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, said the disease, was first noted in the eastern side of Chikhwawa district – some 50 kilometres from Blantyre.
Chimera said the outbreak affected supply of milk and beef in the city of Blantyre and other surrounding districts.
Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.
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