Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Sunday-Express
Published on 2024-03-24 17:16:18
Farmers in six of Lesotho’s ten districts are facing a severe livestock crisis due to an outbreak of bluetongue (BT) disease. The outbreak, which started in March, has already resulted in the deaths of 353 sheep, with 1882 animals remaining infected. The affected districts include Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing, Maseru, Berea, and Leribe.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition have issued a warning about the situation, attributing it to the heavy rains and subsequent high temperatures that have provided ideal conditions for the disease to spread. Minister Thabo Mofosi addressed the National Assembly on March 19, expressing concerns that the actual number of affected livestock may be higher than reported, as many farmers do not report such incidents to the ministry.
Bluetongue is a viral disease that affects a wide range of domestic and wild animals, primarily sheep, cattle, goats, buffalo, and deer. It is transmitted through mosquito bites and presents symptoms such as ulcers, discharge from eyes or nose, drooling, and swelling of various body parts.
The ministry has deployed officials to affected areas to provide free medication to infected animals. While the disease affects all types of livestock, it predominantly impacts sheep. Mr. Mofosi emphasized the importance of reporting cases to the ministry to receive assistance and medication.
Mr. Mofosi attributed the outbreak to the breeding of mosquitoes due to the heavy rains from the previous months and the ongoing high temperatures in Lesotho. Veterinarians in different districts have been tasked with administering medication based on the specific needs of each area.
Farmers have been advised not to use prevention medicine on infected animals and to seek help from district-level agriculture and food security offices. The ministry aims to provide free medication to all affected animals initially, with the expectation that farmers will take preventive measures after the current outbreak is under control.
Despite these efforts, farmers like Poulo Shea from Matsieng, Ha-Taka, have reported significant losses to the disease. Mr. Shea recounted the loss of several sheep and cattle, with symptoms including swelling, red eyes and nose, and mucus discharges. The community is devastated by the widespread impact of the disease on their livestock.
Khotsang Moshoeshoe, a renowned trader in Mokhotlong, emphasized the importance of containing the disease to prevent its spread to unaffected regions. The unique redness of the meat from infected animals has led farmers to avoid consuming it, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Overall, the bluetongue outbreak in Lesotho has caused significant distress among farmers, with urgent measures being taken to control the spread of the disease and provide assistance to affected livestock owners. The ministry’s efforts to offer free medication and support to farmers demonstrate a commitment to mitigating the impact of the outbreak on the country’s agricultural sector.
Read the original article on sundayexpress.co.ls
