Zambia: Foot and Mouth diseases affect over 1,000 animals in Lundazi, Vubwi districts

Over 1,000 animals have been infected with Foot and Mouth diseases in Zambia's Lundazi and Vubwi districts of Eastern Province. The contagious viral disease is affecting livestock with split hooves.

The government of Zambia has restricted the movement of animals in the region to avoid spreading of Foot and Mouth diseases to other uninfected animals. According to Buleti Nsemukila, Eastern Province Permanent Secretary, over 400 animals have been affected in Vubwi, while 600 animals have been affected in Lundazi, as reported by Lusaka Times.

The Permanent Secretary, Buleti Nsemukila has also instructed law enforcement agencies who create roadblocks to minutely check the livestock movement permits from all vehicles carrying animals. According to the instructions, if the drivers are unable to produce the required documents, the vehicles must be confiscated with an immediate effect.

Nsemukila also stated that farmers also need to be aware of suspicious cases. They should also check their livestock to ensure that they are not infected with Foot and Mouth diseases. In the reverse case, they immediately should contact the nearest veterinary centres to control the situation.

Some of the symptoms of animals suffering from Foot and Mouth diseases are saliva drops, mouth sores, lameness, hooves etc. Even the calves can be infected by the virus through breast milk.

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