Govt lifts meat ban over foot and mouth disease
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has said the current surveillance of the foot and mouth disease in Chikwawa indicates that there are no new cases.
Principal Secretary Erica Maganga said in a statement the ministry has successfully completed vaccination of cattle at risk.
“In conformity with the Control and Animal Diseases Act (Cap 66:02), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, the Ministry would like to inform the public that the temporary suspension of all livestock (cattle, goats, sheep and pigs) markets in and around Mthumba Dip Tank in Chikwawa has now been Iifted,” she said.
Maganga advised the people to ensure that cattle do not graze close to Lengwe National Park to avoid mixing with buffaloes which are carriers and transmitters of the disease.
The 2015 outbreak was confirmed on September 4 2015 with 700 heads of cattle at risk.
