Suspected newcastle disease is reported to have killed at least 100 chickens in Chimbola and Chimba agricultural camp areas in Mungwi district in the past two months.
One of the affected farmers confirmed to the National Agricultural Information Services (NAIS) at Chimba camp over the weekend.
Mr Emmanuel Nkole said he has so far lost 34 chickens while two other farmers of Chimba and Chimbola lost 30 and 25 birds respectively from suspected newcastle.
Mr Nkole expressed worry that the chicken population at Chimba may dwindle considerably if the suspected disease persists.
The department of veterinary and livestock development say farmers should remain calm as everything possible was being done to ensure that birds are vaccinated against the deadly disease.
District Veterinary Officer, Stephen Tembo, said the department has embarked on a mass vaccination of local chickens in Mungwi district, adding that so far, Chambeshi, Malole, Kafusha, Chandaweyaya, Rosa, Chonya and Mungwi central have been covered.
Dr Tembo said the remaining areas, such as Chimba and Nseluka among others, would be dealt with in a matter of days after a few logistics have been put in place.
Dr Tembo said this in an interview with NAIS in Mungwi yesterday.
ZANIS
From s w i n e flu to newcastle disease…what livestock are people going to keep? Lets just all become vegeterians like our Godfather KK – you live a long, healthy & happy life.
@ n.chale, true dat!!