Anthrax Outbreak in Southern province

Southern Province has recorded 257 anthrax‑positive cases from more than 33,000 cattle tested in camps throughout the region. Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Director Charles Maseka has directed livestock farmers and traders to obtain valid stock movement permits to help…

Southern Province has recorded 257 anthrax‑positive cases from more than 33,000 cattle tested in camps throughout the region.

Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Director Charles Maseka has directed livestock farmers and traders to obtain valid stock movement permits to help prevent further spread of the disease.

Dr Maseka was speaking when he paid a courtesy call on Southern Province Acting Permanent Secretary Gift Monde.

“We want all the abattoir to ensure that they should only allow animals that have a stock movement permits to enter for slaughter ” he said.

Dr Maseka has also appealed to traditional leaders in Southern province to allow the ministry to test the animals during traditional ceremonies.

“Now that we have seen the extent of the disease our next phase is to test all the animals in the districts ” he said.

And acting Southern Province Permanent Secretary Gift Monde said the provincial administration remains committed to supporting efforts to stop the spread of anthrax in the province.

Mr Monde notes that his office will engage traditional leaders to prevent the spread of anthrax.

“We are conducting a meeting with traditional leaders so that we can discuss how the ceremonies can be done” he said.