By Mubanga Mubanga
Fisheries and Livestock minister Makozo Chikote says his ministry is sending additional 37,000 dosages of anthrax to cover the entire cattle population in Sinazongwe district following the outbreak of anthrax in the area.
Government has confirmed that two people have died of suspected anthrax following the outbreak of the disease in Sinazongwe district.
Chikote in a statement issued in Parliament on Wednesday, said a total of 245 animals had died while 223 people developed skin sores due to anthrax.
“To date, Mr. Speaker a total of 245 cattle have died of the disease in Sinazongwe district with 223 people developing skin sores due to anthrax and two people have died of suspected anthrax infection,” Chikote said.
He explained that in Sinazongwe, the ministry received a report from Sinazongwe district about the incidence of anthrax in human in June/July 2023.
Chikote said it was also reported that people were presenting with signs of sores on the skin and anthrax in humans was subsequently confirmed.
He said people who had these sores, revealed that they had consumed meat from hippos that were dying on the shores of Lake Kariba.
Chikote said in August 2023, mortality in livestock was reported following contamination of the environment with the anthrax spores.
“Tissue samples from the dead animals were collected from animals and submitted to Central Veterinary Research Institute and also Choma laboratory these samples tested positive for anthrax,” Chikote said.
He said a number of measures had been put in place by the government to contain the disease and avert loss of animals and human life in the affected area.
The minister said in Kazungula, sensitization and awareness creation of communities on the outbreak and the dangers of anthrax was underway.
He also said the ban on the slaughter and movement of cattle in and out of Kazungula has been effected.
Chikote also said the vaccination of 33,000 cattle is under way.
In Sinazongwe, the minister said his ministry in line with the disease control protocols was conducting sensitization and awareness among communities to educate them on the dangers of handling and consuming meat from animals that die on their own.
Chikote said the ban on all slaughters and movement of animals in and out of the district was still in force.
He said this is the first time the disease is being reported in Sinazongwe district.
Chikote said the department of veterinary services conducted vaccinations on 45,573 cattle out of 65,000 in the district.
“Also 634 sheep out of 9,000 in the district, and 4440 goats out of 25,000 in the district. My ministry is sending additional 37,000 dosages of anthrax vaccines to cover the entire cattle population in the district,” he said.
Chikote said all vaccines being dispatched to the outbreak areas have been locally sourced at the Central Veterinary Research Institute.
He said the ministry is also heightening surveillance along the Zambezi River to ensure early warning signs for the disease in other places.
Chikote said following the measures put in place, the disease incident in animals in Sinazongwe has reduced.
Caption on pictures shows dead animals infected with anthrax and a cattle owner who has developed sores on account of eating the infected animals
