KETRA KALUNGA writes
FARMERS in Ngabwe district have lost a number of pigs to the outbreak of African swine fever which has been confirmed in the area.
The African swine fever comes weeks after the foot and mouth disease which claimed a number of cattle in the district.
Ngabwe District Council chairperson, Thabiso Mizinga, said in an interview that the disease was detected after blood samples were taken to ascertain what was the causing pigs dying on a daily basis.
“It has been confirmed that the African swine fever is what is killing the pigs in the area when the report was given to the livestock coordinator, the issue was raised to the department of livestock and fisheries and blood samples were taken,” she said.
Ms Mizinga said testing and killing of the pigs infected has continued in the district to control the spread of the disease.
Government, she said, has pledged to provide other pigs to farmers that had lost the animals to cushion the impact.
“There is no cure for the disease, it’s sad to our farmers because pigs were the only livestock remaining after cattle and goats died from the foot and mouth disease which was reported this month,” she said.
The district council chairperson however said Government had responded quickly a sign she said showed that it was a listening government.
