Suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Lilongwe

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development says there is a suspected outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Lilongwe District.

Secretary for agriculture, irrigation and water development Grey Nyadule Phiri says the disease has been reported in Nyanja, Chitsime, Mkwinda, Chigonthi, Demera and Malingunde Extension Planning Areas.

Nyandule Phiri says on-going preliminary investigations conducted by the Ministry have established a total number of 217 clinical cases.

“99 cases have been registered in 5 sections of Nyanja, Chitsime and Mkwinda EPAs, 64 cases in 4 kholas within Chigonthi EPA and 54 cases in Thawale EPA in 7 kholas,” Nyandule phiri said

Nyandule Phiri further says fresh cases were also recorded from several kholas around Dickson in Malingunde EPA.

He adds that the affected EPA’s have an estimated total population of 45,000 cattle currently at risk.

Therefore Nyandule Phiri says “the Ministry has instituted measures to control the disease such as temporary suspension and ban of all livestock markets and slaughters, restriction of livestock and products movement and intensifies awareness of the livestock community on the outbreak.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry is urging livestock farmers and the public to cooperate with its Veterinary Officers and Malawi Police Service during the implementation of the measures.