By FRANCINA PHIRI –

.Pig

MPULUNGU District in Northern Province has been hit by the African swine fever (ASF) with 23 new cases of infected pigs recorded.
Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Michael Katambo said yesterday the latest deaths raised the number of hogs killed in the swine fever outbreak so far to 10,660 from 10,637.
Mr Katambo said that Mansa had also recorded an increase in deaths; saying it was unfortunate that the disease was spreading despite the best efforts of veterinary officers to contain it.
The minister said his ministry had sent 10 more officers to support the containment exercise in the affected areas.
Mr Katambo said the attack had affected a lot of pig farmers, putting the pig industry at risk.
“We have recorded new cases of ASF in Mpulungu and the veterinary officers are already on the ground to stop the movement of animals,” the minister said.
Mr Katambo said that the outbreak needed careful management to stop it spreading further.
He said while citizens should not be distracted from the fight against cholera – especially those living in Lusaka – the general public should also be mindful of ASF as it was spreading rapidly and killing large numbers of pigs.
Mr Katambo said his ministry would ensure that the disease was contained in the two districts just like it was contained in Muchinga Province.
He said that pig owners should be cautioned to observe good pig management practices that included confinement in housing structures as opposed to allowing their animals to roam free.