By Esnart Chingwalu

Livestock extension workers in Khonsolo Extension Planning Area in Mzimba district have expressed concern over continued slaughtering and selling of livestock despite the outbreaks of mucus and African Swine Fever which have hit the area. 

Botchiwe Shaba, told YFM Online the outbreaks, which started in September last year, have been spreading rapidly and leading to deaths of mainly pigs in the area.

Shaba expressed worry that despite efforts to curb the outbreaks, which include encouraging vaccination of livestock, many are deliberately selling infected meat.

“It is so worrisome to see that people are still selling and buying meat from infected livestock which it is contributing to the continued spread of the outbreak,” she said.

Khonsolo Agriculture Extension Development Coordinator Kingsley Chavula, said the outbreak is failing to end due to failure of the farmers to vaccinate their livestock.

He said most livestock farmers are finding it hard to access the vaccines due to long distance to Nkhamenya where they can buy these vaccines.

“We are trying to contain the situation only that vaccines for the animals are hard to access due to long distances to the nearest trading centres where people can buy these vaccines,” said Chavula.