Maria David
THE Ministry of Agriculture has announced the lifting of restrictions after successfully containing the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the Zambezi Region.
Since May last year, the movement of all cloven-hoofed animals and their products within, into and out of the Zambezi Region was banned after FMD was confirmed.
Ministry head of veterinary services, Dr Albertina Shilongo, said all restrictions that were imposed as a result of the FMD outbreak in the region have been lifted with immediate effect.
Shilongo stated that the move is in line with the national FMD contingency plan, where outbreak restrictions in the FMD protection and infected zones can be lifted three months after the last confirmed case.
According to the intensive disease surveillance conducted by the directorate of veterinary services, the last confirmed case of FMD was reported in November.
“In order to prevent future outbreaks, vaccination against FMD will continue in the region,” she added.
Shilongo then urged farmers to bring their cattle to the crush-pens when announcements are made by veterinary services.
