By Mubanga Mubanga
Sinazongwe Council chairperson Cliff Siachebweka says 60,000 animals have received anthrax doses in Sinazingwe where the disease spiked from.
And Siachebweka said the district has banned the movement of animals as well as sell of beef and beef related products due to the outbreak of anthrax.
In an interview with Daily Revelation, Siachebweka said the government had responded quickly and that so far 90 doses for vaccination had been received.
“But nevertheless the government has responded so quickly. We have so far received 90 doses for vaccination and currently as we speak 60 thousand animals have been vaccinated and the exercise is ongoing.So actually I want to distance myself from the Gwembe valley advocate,” Siachebweka said.
Siachebweka also highlighted measures that the council is taking to contain the outbreak of anthrax.
He said the council was working together with health and veterinary officers to combat the disease.
“Secondly we are working together in collaboration with the council, health and veterinary officers. We have increased surveillance.
“In terms of making sure no animal is crossing with other districts, we have banned movement of animals. Secondly we have also banned any sale of beef and beef related products in the district, those are the measures we have so far,” he said.
Siachebweka also appealed to the government through the provincial minister to help the district with transport, especially motorbikes to be used in combating the disease because the district is rocky and hilly.
“Government should help us in terms of transport because we are crippled in terms of transport, for us to combat this disease, there are areas where we need a motorbike because the terrain of this place is hilly, rocky, there are places vehicles can’t reach,” said Siachebweka.
Siachebweka said the council has stepped up surveillance in the district to prevent animals from moving out the district.
