Govt lifts livestock ban in Chikhwawa

Government has lifted a ban on all livestock slaughters, markets and issuance of permits around Mthumba Dip Tank in Chikwawa, which was affected by the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in September this year.

On September 4 2015, principal secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Erica Maganga indicated that 700 heads of cattle were at risk of contracting the disease in the area.

In response, government banned all livestock markets and restricted movement of livestock and livestock products from the Lower Shire.

But in a statement today, Maganga said there are no more new cases of FMD detected in the area, saying government has also successfully completed vaccination of cattle at risk of contracting the disease.

“The temporary suspension of all livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and pigs) markets in and around Mthumba Dip Tank in Chikwawa, has now been lifted with immediate effect,” reads the statement in part.

Maganga said all livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and pigs) slaughters in and around the area can now resume.

“Restriction of livestock and livestock products movement in and around Mthumba Dip Tank has also been removed,” she explained.

To prevent future outbreaks, Maganga has advised livestock farmers particularly those around Lengwe National Park to ensure that their cattle do not graze close to the Park so that they do not mix with buffaloes, which are carriers of the FMD virus and potential transmitters of the disease.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that mostly affects cattle and has very devastating socio-economic consequences if not timely controlled.