Livestock foot and mouth disease spreads to Dedza, Ntcheu
Foot and mouth disease has hit livestock in Ntcheu and Dedza raising fears of economic loss to farmers, prompting the government to institute strict measures to control the disease.
Principal secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Grey Nyandule Phiri says the government has now ordered restriction of movements of livestock in the two districts and suspended the slaughter of the animals.
“Vaccines are already in the country therefore the vaccination campa4n will start very soon,” he said. The vaccination campaign is in progress in Mwanza and Neno where the disease was first diagnised.
The hardest hit areas include Linthipe and Bembeke but Nyandule Phiri said there was no cause for panic and worry, saying the situation was under control.
If not controlled, the disease can kill animals enmasse.
