Sierra Leone Government implements preventive measures in response to reported cluster of deaths of cattle in Liberia

In response to confirmed reports of a cluster of dead cattle in Liberia, the Sierra Leone Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) and its partners have swiftly taken action to implement preventive measures.

The discovery of dead cattle in Kelima Bendu Town, Foyah District, Liberia, has raised concerns about potential risks to livestock and human health in Sierra Leone.

The government has announced the following immediate measures to mitigate the situation:

1. Temporary Ban on Movement: The movement of cattle, goats, and sheep along the Liberia-Sierra Leone border will be temporarily suspended to prevent the potential spread of any infectious agents.
2. Import Restrictions: Imports of meat and meat products from Liberia into Sierra Leone will be prohibited as a precautionary measure to safeguard the health of Sierra Leonean consumers.
3. Restricted Internal Movement: The movement of cattle, goats, and sheep from Kailahun, Kenema, and Pujehun districts to other districts within Sierra Leone will be restricted to prevent the potential transmission of any disease.
4. Ban on Internal Meat Movement: The movement of meat and meat products from Kailahun, Kenema, and Pujehun districts to other districts within Sierra Leone will be temporarily banned to ensure the containment of any potential health risks.
5. Closure of Livestock Markets: All livestock markets in Kailahun, Kenema, and Pujehun districts will be temporarily closed to prevent the spread of any infectious agents among animals and humans.
6. Enhanced Surveillance: The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with its partners, will intensify surveillance activities in slaughterhouses located in Kailahun, Kenema, and Pujehun districts. The focus will be on detecting sick animals and individuals exhibiting signs and symptoms of anthrax or any other potential disease.

The incident in Liberia involved the discovery of 36 dead cows along the Foya-Mendekorma Highway at Kelima Bendu Town, located just four miles from the border with Kailahun district. In response, a team of inter-governmental animal health specialists under the ONE HEALTH PLATFORM has been dispatched to Liberia to investigate the cause(s) of the deaths.

These proactive measures by the Sierra Leonean government demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the health and safety of its citizens, as well as the protection of livestock and the agricultural sector. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will continue to monitor the situation closely and collaborate with international partners to mitigate any potential risks to public health and the country’s livestock industry.