MALAWI – Malawi has reported a surge in dog deaths attributed to aflatoxin-contaminated maize husks, with veterinary experts recording 450 fatalities since April in Blantyre, calling for an urgent public health and food safety concern.
Aflatoxins, toxic substances produced by certain fungi, commonly grow on grains like maize and peanuts, which are often used as ingredients in pet foods.
According to experts, the accumulation of aflatoxins in animals can lead to severe liver damage, blood clotting disorders, and, in critical cases, death. Symptoms in affected dogs include a yellowish tint on the skin, hemorrhagic diarrhea, and vomiting.
Timothy Banda, the veterinary clinic manager at the Blantyre Society for the Protection and Care of Animals, has been at the forefront of the crisis.
He reported that dogs consuming meals made from maize husks, known locally as “madeya,” were not responding to conventional treatments.
“For the past two, three weeks, we haven’t received any new deaths from the problem,” Banda told VOA. “But from April to early August, around 450 dogs have died. The affected dogs were fed with ‘nsima,’ a thick porridge prepared from maize husks.”
Banda said the deaths were initially baffling, as affected dogs did not improve despite various treatments. The suspicion of aflatoxin poisoning arose after noticing the dogs’ symptoms were consistent with aflatoxin exposure.
Despite the dog deaths, health officials in Malawi have not reported any human fatalities related to the consumption of contaminated maize. However, health experts warn that aflatoxins can also cause liver tumors in humans if consumed over time.
Regional Spread of Aflatoxin Contamination
The issue is not confined to Malawi. In neighboring Zambia, over 400 dogs reportedly died in July after consuming maize meal contaminated with aflatoxins. Both countries face a significant challenge, as maize is a staple food for humans and animals.
In addition, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently banned the importation of eight brands of maize flour produced in Zambia, citing concerns about aflatoxin contamination.
The brands affected include “Africa Milling,” “Roller Meal and Breakfast,” “Farm Feed Superdog Meal,” “Continental Milling,” “Shabco Milling,” “Girad Milling,” “Busu Milling,” and “Star Milling.”
This decision, announced on August 25 by the DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Trade, mandated several national institutions, including the Customs and Excise Directorate (DGDA), the Congolese Control Office (OCC), and the National Police, to enforce measures that protect public health from the potential dangers of the toxin.
Malawi’s Ministry of Agriculture has since issued guidelines advising dog owners to switch to alternative foods, such as rice, until the contamination problem is resolved.
Authorities are also working with international organizations to provide safe food alternatives for pets and raise awareness about the dangers of aflatoxin exposure.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.
