LUSAKA, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) -- Zambian authorities said they have put under control an outbreak of foot and mouth disease which affected livestock, mainly cattle, in the eastern part of the country and efforts to contain the disease in other provinces have been intensified.
Nkandu Luo, minister of Fisheries and Livestock, said the killer disease which broke out in four districts of the province has been contained after stringent measures by the government at a press briefing.
She also told reporters that the government has since lifted a ban on livestock movement in the province and noted that despite the containment, vaccination and sensitization of farmers will continue.
According to the minister, the government requires 2.4 million doses of vaccine in the four provinces.
The government, she said, will now focus on trying to contain the disease in three other provinces, namely Lusaka, Copperbelt and Southern. The ban on the movement of livestock in these affected areas will continue.
"Vaccination of animals against foot and mouth disease is a huge project that needs a lot of money and we shall continue to fight the disease, "she said.
