Animal Diseases Break Out in Southern Zambia
Animal diseases break out in southern Zambia
LUSAKA, March 13 (Xinhua) — An animal disease, known as trypanosomiasis, or sleeping disease, has broken out in southern Zambia’s Siavonga district and so far has killed about 60 herds of cattle since February this year, local media reported Monday.
Local veterinary officer Max Chisanga was cited by Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) as saying the problem has been compounded due to lack of drugs and other vaccines.
Chisanga said the disease was spread among cattle by tsetse fly bites. The disease is often fatal.
Furthermore, at least 15 herds of cattle were affected with the blackleg disease which weakens muscles of the leg, he added.
Chisanga said the disease was believed to have spread into Siavonga from neighboring areas because this was a new disease in the district.
He since appealed to government to quickly move in and supply the vaccines in order to prevent a wider spread of the two diseases.