Vet Department assures South livestock farmers
By Angela Limwanya-The Department of Veterinary Services has assured livestock farmers in Livingstone that their animals will be vaccinated soon against the foot and mouth disease.
The assurance follows an appeal from a number of livestock farmers in Livingstone District to the government to help them contain the spread of the foot and mouth disease that has affected many farms in the area.
One of the livestock farmers, EVANS FENETE, has told ZNBC News in an interview that he discovered about two weeks ago that his animals had contracted foot and mouth disease.
Mr. FENETE has explained that the disease keeps spreading as the animals mix while grazing near the Nanzansu River.
And another farmer, NICKSON SIMANZI claims that eight cows have died among the 15 nearby settlements since the disease was discovered two months ago.
Mr. SIMANZI says the affected farmers need urgent help before they lose more animals to the disease.
Livingstone District Veterinary Officer, MATTHEWS MUTALE has told ZNBC News that the government is aware that some farms have been affected by foot and mouth disease in Kasiya Ward and surrounding areas.
Dr. MUTALE has said the vaccination programme will start soon because Livingstone District has received enough vaccines to manage the animal population in the area.