Foot-and-mouth disease kills 800 animals in Zambia

Foot-and-mouth disease has killed 800 animals in Southern province of Zambia since it broke out earlier this year, local newspaper Zambia Daily Mail reported Thursday.

The disease, which first broke out in Namwala District, has spread to neighboring areas, Japhet Moonde, parliamentary member from neighboring Bweengwa constituency, was quoted as saying.

Agriculture Deputy Minister Chance Kabaghe said the government is aware of the problem and has taken measures, including the ban on the movement of animals from the affected areas.

But Moonde said the ban has negatively impacted the people in the areas because they could not sell their animals.

He urged the government to urgently contain the disease so that people can sell their animals for their much-needed income.

"The people of Bweengwa have asked me to appeal to the government to move in the area with all the necessary drugs and other measures," he said.