October 26, 2004

Zambia to Vaccinate 200,000 Cattle Against Foot-and-mouth Disease

200,000 cattle in Zambia will be vaccinated against foot-and-mouth disease before the rainy season in December.

Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana was quoted as saying the veterinary department was containing the disease which has so far token a toll in Southern and Central provinces.

He said the vaccination exercise was going on smoothly although he could not give the exact number of cattle that have been vaccinated so far.

Sikatana said 200,000 cattle in the affected areas would be vaccinated before rains start because the government wanted to ensure that they were fit to plough.

Foot-and-mouth disease has affected most parts of Southern and Central provinces forcing the government to ban the movement of livestock from the two provinces.