We've made headway on FMD: Agriculture Ministry
Following a decrease in the number of cases, the Ministry of Agriculture has begun lifting bans on animal movement and slaughter in some districts across the country.
Malawi: Following a decrease in the number of cases, the Ministry of Agriculture has begun lifting bans on animal movement and slaughter in some districts across the country, writes Victor Musongole.
This follows the ministry's massive vaccination campaign in the affected districts.
According to Gilson Njunga, Deputy Director of Animal Health and Field Services, they are still collecting samples in some districts while analysing some collections from the field.
"We had massive vaccination, and we have now lifted the ban in Mchinji; we are analysing samples from Mzimba, and we will have samples from lower Shire this week," Njunga said.
However, Njunga was unable to estimate how much money the country has lost as a result of the outbreak.
"We don't have figures yet because we're still fighting the disease; once it's over, we'll compile the data to see how much we've lost," Njunga stated.
Commenting on the progress, Mzimba-based Butcherman Stover Zimba says that if the ban is lifted, it will help to revitalise the district.
"The ban has affected our lives because we can no longer buy and sell animals; we have been forced to use our capital because this is the only business we know," Zimba lamented.
Foot and Mouth disease was first reported in Mchinji before spreading to Lilongwe, Lower Shire, and Mzimba, to name a few.