Foot and Mouth disease outbreak forces govt to ban sale meat in Blantyre, Neno

The government of Malawi through Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has temporarily banned the sale and slaughtering of livestock due to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease that has been reported in Lisungwi and Kuthembwe Extension Planning Areas in Neno and Blantyre Districts.

This has been disclosed in a press statement released on Wednesday signed by Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Nyandule Phiri made available to faceofmalawi.

According Phiri, the Ministry has already registered a total number of 164 clinical cases in 6 kraals in Neno and13 cases in 6 kraals in Kunthembwe, Blantyre.

In order to contain the outbreak the Ministry has introduced a number of measures and one of it being temporary ban of livestock slaughter and suspension of markets of livestock.

The ministry has also restricted animal movement from the affected areas and has urged law enforcers to be checking in road blocks.

“The Ministry would, therefore, like to inform the general public that it is importing vaccines to contain the outbreak and will continue to provide updates. The Ministry is therefore urging the livestock farmers and the general public to cooperate with its officials and security officers including the Police during the implementation of the measures,” reads in part the statement.

Meanwhile business players have expressed concern over the matter.