Government Dispatches Anthrax Vaccines for Livestock

By Honester Mshoka Government has dispatched 6,000 doses of anthrax vaccines to support mass vaccination campaigns of livestock in selected districts across the country. Livestock and Fisheries Director of Veterinary Services CHARLES MASEKA says the country currently has no reported cases of anthrax in domestic livestock. Dr. MASEKA says 100,000 doses have been allocated to Southern Province, 58,000 to Eastern Province, 462,000 to Western Province and 20,000 to Muchinga Province. He says mass vaccination exercises have since commenced in selected districts in affected and high-risk areas as part of measures to protect livestock and prevent the spread of anthrax. Dr. MASEKA has urged farmers to cooperate with veterinary authorities and ensure their livestock are vaccinated when vaccination teams reach their areas. He has further encouraged farmers to report any sudden or unexplained deaths of livestock to veterinary authorities and avoid handling or consuming meat from animals that have died unexpectedly. Dr. MASEKA says the Department of Veterinary Services remains committed to strengthening disease prevention, surveillance and control measures to safeguard livestock, protect livelihoods and support food and nutrition security. This is according to a statement issued to ZNBC News by Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries Principal Public Relations Officer BENNY MUNYAMA.