Zambia has banned all livestock imports and transit from South Africa with immediate effect.

This includes all cloven-hoofed animals, trophies, skins and ananimal feed. Furthermore, the Southern African country has restricted all dairy imports. 

Last Thursday, during his States of the Nation Address (SONA), President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the KwaZulu-Natal foot-and-mouth outbreak a national disaster. 

PR officer Benny Munyama said the ban is part of efforts to prevent the spread of disease into the country.

"Our Department of Veterinary Services, led by our Director, Dr Charles Maseka, has since announced the following measures: all issued permits are revoked with immediate effect.

"We wish to inform members of the public, farmers, and all our stakeholders that these precautionary measures will be reviewed depending on the progression of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in South Africa."

 *This article was first published by Eye Witness News