By Riches Soberekon
Sierra Leone has banned the movement of cattle from Liberia and the import of meat from the neighboring country after 36 cows died in a border area.
The deaths of the cows, which occurred in early July in a field in the town of Kelima Bendu, Lofa County, Liberia, have not been explained.
But Liberian authorities are investigating the cause of the deaths.
In response to the deaths, Sierra Leone has banned the movement of cattle, goats, and sheep along the border with Liberia, the import of meat products from that country, temporarily closed livestock markets in the border area, and increased surveillance in slaughterhouses.
Anthrax is a possible cause of the deaths, as it is a disease that can be transmitted to humans and is potentially fatal in its rarest forms. However, the cause of the deaths has not been confirmed.
“So far, no cases of dead cattle have been found in other parts of Lofa or other counties,” Liberia’s agriculture ministry said on July 7.
The ban on cattle movement and meat imports from Liberia is a precautionary measure to protect Sierra Leone’s livestock industry and public health.
The ban will remain in place until the cause of the deaths is determined and the risk of transmission to humans is assessed.
