By MOFFAT CHAZINGWA –

African swine fever has continued to cause havoc in North-Western Province with the disease now spreading to other districts in the province.

The swine fever, which was first detected in Kasempa District in May, this year, has now spread to Chavuma where it has claimed more pigs.

Chavuma District Commissioner Lawrence Kayumba and North-Western Province veterinary officer Peter Banda both confirmed the spread of the swine fever yesterday.

Mr Kayumba said Chavuma had been hit by the swine fever in the last two weeks, after the disease spread to the area from neighbouring Zambezi District where it was first detected.

He said specimens that were sent to Lusaka for examination had tested positive for the disease.

The district commission named Kalombo Village of headman Kambembe, as one of areas most hit by the swine fever.

“I have toured some areas to inspect and the situation is really bad. Pigs are dying daily and the worst thing is that people are consuming pork from the dead pigs,” he said.

Mr Kayumba was, however, said he was still waiting for a report from the health and agriculture officials on the number of animals that had died from the disease.

Dr Banda said a team of veterinary officers had been dispatched to Zambezi and Chavuma to access the extent of the disease in the two districts.

He said in the meantime, the provincial veterinary department had imposed a ban on movement of pigs and pork products in the region to curb the spread of the swine fever.

Dr Banda called on residents in the affected areas to comply with instituted measures aimed at curbing further spread of the disease.