The outbreak of foot and mouth disease that has affected the southern region of Namwala, Zambia - infecting some estimated 5,000 livestock - has been confirmed as having spread into the neighbouring district of Choma, causing great concern that the disease could spread yet further.
The new outbreak is reported to have occurred at the Mapanza Veterinary Camp north of Choma City, but, no figures on the numbers infected have so far been released. Checkpoints have been set up to stop the movement of livestock from the region, but local officials claim that the disease has spread due to the lack of action from the government to contain the disease quickly enough and a shortage of vaccines.
