Rift Valley Fever disease hits Southern Region—ministry
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has confirmed a Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreak in Chiradzulu District and surrounding areas where it is estimated that over 183 000 animals are susceptible to the disease. In a statement issued on May 13 2026, the ministry says it has since suspended slaughtering of animals including cattle … The post Rift Valley Fever disease hits Southern Region—ministry appeared first on Nation Online.
Black News 
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has confirmed a Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreak in Chiradzulu District and surrounding areas where it is estimated that over 183 000 animals are susceptible to the disease.
In a statement issued on May 13 2026, the ministry says it has since suspended slaughtering of animals including cattle and movement permits for livestock, restricted movement of animals and animal products, and banned handling or butchering of sick animals.
“The ministry has instituted these measures in accordance with control and diseases of animals Act and guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health,” reads the statement in part.
Chiradzulu has an estimated cattle population of 26 017, but so far it has been reported that 13 livestock have died while 81 gestating animals have miscarried, raising concerns that animal population could dwindle.
The ministry’s Principal Secretary Erica Maganga said suspected cases are also under investigation in Boma and Thuchila extension planning areas (EPAs) in Mulanje District.
Meanwhile, there are fears that the ban on slaughtering animals and movements of livestock might create shortage of meat especially in urban areas such Blantyre and Limbe.
Although no human cases are mentioned in the press release, information sourced on the internet shows that RVF has the potential for zoonotic transmission, meaning that it is also a human health risk.
RVF is a mosquito-borne viral disease that primarily affects livestock but can also cause severe, potentially fatal illness in humans and is historically common in sub-Saharan Africa.
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