Authorities control cat worms in Luano

—-Agricultural authorities in Luano district are said to have successfully controlled the invasion of cat worm pest that is said to have ravaged some crops in parts of the district.

Lunao District Agricultural Coordinating Officer (DACO), Peter Kabichi, confirmed the development to ZANIS in Mkushi, saying his office had succeeded in controlling the problem through measures such as spraying of suypermethrine insecticide in the affected crop fields.

Mr Kabichi named the affected areas as Chikupili and Kaundula agricultural zones, saying chemical spray had been dispatched to agricultural camp officers based in those areas.

He explained that the situation was controlled quickly following prompt reports from seven farmers who had reported seven hectares of crop damage by the pests.

He said prior to the cat worm invasion, his office had addressed the green grass hopper invasion in Ching’ombe and Mboroma areas a month ago.

Mr Kabichi further disclosed that East Coast Fever (ECF) as well as anaplasmosis were reported to have been the major diseases that had affected cattle in the district between January 2014 to early this year.

He said the latest statistics show that his office had recorded 28 cases of ECF, adding that seven of these affected cows had died from the disease.

He, however, mentioned that the veterinary department had successfully treated 24 cattle by using pervexone drug in Chikupili, Kaundula and Old Mkushi areas.

Mr Kabichi said that 21 cases of anaplasmosis were recorded from which one cow died, whilst a herd of 20 cattle was treated using oxyject drug in areas such as Chikupili, Old Mkushi and Lunsemfwa.

He said that new castle poultry disease had also been widespread during the same period under review, adding that the situation had resulted in the vaccination of 32, 233 village chickens.

He also revealed that 464 dogs had been vaccinated against rabies disease during that period, saying his office had effected the move as response to the cases of dog bite on humans.