The Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Nutrition through the Animal department has issued a statement with which it is warning farmers and making them aware of the recent outbreak of a disease in animals.

In a press release from the Ministry, the Blue tongue disease popularly known as ‘Boloutomo’ has been observed in the lowlands Maseru and Mafeteng.

The ministry indicated that the disease is carried by mosquitoes which were noticed following the recent rates of rainfall that the country has been facing followed by the heat weave.

The disease is reported to be mostly spotted in animals such as sheep, goats and cattle.

Blue tongue is found where animals graze causing swelling of the head, high temperature, eyes and mouth become reddish and animals lose appetite.

As the blood flow is abnormal, the animals change colour in the mouth to blue. That is where the name of this disease comes from. As soon as these symptoms appear, farmers should report to the centres of the Ministry of Agriculture or to the nearest veterinarian to get help.