Foot and Mouth disease spread to Dedza, Ntcheu: Meat sale banned

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has disclosed that the foot and mouth disease has spread to Dedza and Ntcheu districts.

The development comes barely two weeks after the government banned the slaughter, sale and movement of livestock in Neno and Blantyre districts due to the same disease.

According to the statement released on Tuesday signed by Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Osborne Tsoka, the new disease has been reported in in Linthipe and Bembeke Extension Planning Areas (EPA’s) in Dedza district; and Njolomole EPA in Ntcheu district.

Tsoka said the Ministry has also effected ban on the slaughter, sale and movement of livestock in the affected district to control the outbreak.

The Ministry has since urged the affected livestock farmers and the general public to cooperate with its officials and security officers including the Police during the implementation of these measures.

Tsoka has also said the Ministry has commenced vaccination campaigns in the affected areas.