LILONGWE, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Malawian government has issued a ban on slaughter of all livestock and has suspended meat markets following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in some areas of the country's capital city Lilongwe, a statement released on Tuesday said.
At least 217 clinical cases had been confirmed in four Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) as of Tuesday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development said in the statement.
"On-going preliminary investigations conducted by Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development have established a total of 217 clinical cases, and the affected EPAs have an estimated population of 45,000 cattle," the ministry's official Gray Nyandule Phiri said in the statement.
The government has also restricted movement of livestock and livestock products from and into the affected areas, added the statement.
The ban also extends to issuance of livestock movement permits from the affected areas and roadblocks and patrols in strategic points have since been instituted, according to the statement.
Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that attacks livestock, especially cattle.
