Foot-and-mouth disease infects 5,000 animals in Zambia
Itezhi-tezhi district agricultural coordinator Frank Lubasi was quoted saying that the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives has imposed a ban on the movement of livestock products in the area with immediate effect.
He said more than 18,000 animals in the district are threatened by the disease, adding that in the Kabulungwe area, all the animals have been infected. Although the vaccination program has started, it is slow because of the delayed response from the government, said Mr Lubasi.
Of the 18,000 animals in the affected areas, only 3,400 have so far been vaccinated. Lubasi said a further 8,000 doses of vaccination have been received from the provincial health office, adding that 23,000 animals should be vaccinated if the disease is to be contained.
