By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The temporary ban imposed on movement and transportation of cattle, sheep, and goats among districts not affected by the anthrax outbreak has been lifted, that’s according to health officials.
A joint press release by the Ministries of Environment, Health and Sanitation, highlighted the new directives to be followed by the unaffected districts.
Animal movement and transportation among the districts of Bo, Pujehun, Bonthe, Moyamba, Kono, Kenema, Kailahun, Tonkolili, Bombalili, Koinadugu, and Falaba are to strictly comply with inspection by a district Livestock Officer or district Veterinary Officer to ascertain their health status.
These officers are to issue a signed movement permit on healthy animals before being moved or transported to other districts for verification. It added that the movement permit issued to transport animals will expire in a 48 hours period from the time it was issued.
The movement and transportation of cattle, sheep, and goats remain prohibited after 8 pm. Animals that are in transit must be inspected by the assigned livestock and veterinary officer at the various checkpoints mounted across the country
The ban on the movement of the mentioned animals covered the North-west district of Port Loko where the outbreak of anthrax disease occurred at Tankabereh Chiefdom some time ago, leading to the death of many cattle, sheep and goats.
There is now a call regarding animals that are set to be slaughtered for commercial purposes to undergo ante mortem and post-mortem inspection, that should be done by veterinary or livestock inspectors assigned to the slaughter facility. The authorities have also asked that direct concerns by the public about animal health be directed to the Livestock and Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agriculture at Youyi Building in Freetown.
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