14 April 2008
Maputo — The Mozambican livestock authorities are yet to identify the source of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease that was diagnosed in Nhamavila and Manjacaze, in the southern province of Gaza, in late March, according to a report on Mozambican Television (TVM).
After detecting the disease, the authorities decided to slaughter and incinerate 45 head of cattle. These animals had been brought to Gaza from the western province of Tete to be distributed to local communities as part of the government's restocking programme.
The Mozambican authorities suspect that the outbreak may have started in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
In an effort to try and control the outbreak in Mozambique, livestock authorities met in the district of Gondola, in Manica province, last week.
A source close to the meeting told reporters that "Zimbabwe has been heavily affected by foot and mouth disease, but it has not yet been determined if the outbreak started there or inside Mozambique'.
As soon as the disease was detected in Mozambique, the authorities decreed a ban on the movement of livestock from the areas where the disease was diagnosed until the situation is fully under control.
Agriculture Minister Soares Nhaca urged all residents of the areas where the disease was detected to act with responsibility and strictly abide by the ban on the movement of animals.
He explained that the disease may spread by import or export of animals, and the livestock authorities have launched an emergency vaccination campaign to protect the animals not yet contaminated.
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