North-Western Province Veterinary Officer, Peter Banda says the department is targeting to vaccinate 39,000 animals against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in four high-risk districts of the province.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS, Dr Banda said North-Western remains on high alert due to the increasing number of animals entering the region from other provinces both legally and illegally.

He identified Mufumbwe, Kasempa, Kalumbila and Mushindamo as districts receiving a high influx of animals.

“We are on high alert because of the high number of animals that are coming in both legally and illegally from other provinces,” Dr Banda said.

Dr Banda further disclosed that veterinary officers are closely monitoring the districts bordering the province, following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the area.

“Because of the outbreak in Western Province, we are on high alert, especially in districts bordering the province namely Zambezi, Kabompo, Manyinga and Mufumbwe, particularly along the Kasempa -Kaoma Road,” he said.