450 Dogs Die from Aflatoxin-Contaminated Maize in Malawi
Malawi in East Africa is currently facing a significant rise in dog deaths caused by maize husks contaminated with aflatoxins, with veterinary experts in Blantyre reporting 450 fatalities since April. These toxic substances, produced by fungi, often develop on crops like maize and peanuts, which are frequently included in pet food. Aflatoxin exposure in animals can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage, blood clotting issues, and, in severe cases, death. Affected dogs have shown symptoms such as yellow skin, bloody diarrhoea, and vomiting, sparking concerns among veterinarians and animal care workers.
Timothy Banda, who manages the Blantyre Society for the Protection and Care of Animals, has been actively dealing with this crisis. Banda revealed in a recent news story that the dogs consuming meals made from maize husks, known locally as “madeya,” did not respond to typical treatments. After observing the symptoms in these animals, veterinarians began to suspect aflatoxin poisoning. Although no new deaths have been reported in recent weeks, Banda confirmed that from April to early August, approximately 450 dogs died from consuming contaminated food, particularly a porridge called “nsima,” made from the toxic maize husks.
The aflatoxin contamination problem is not limited to Malawi. In neighbouring Zambia, over 400 dogs died in July after eating maize meal tainted with the same toxin. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has responded by banning the import of several Zambian maize flour brands over contamination fears. The DRC’s Ministry of Foreign Trade has instructed national agencies to implement protective measures to safeguard public health. In response to the ongoing crisis, Malawi’s Ministry of Agriculture has advised dog owners to temporarily feed their pets alternative foods, such as rice, and is working with international bodies to provide safe pet food options and raise awareness about the dangers of aflatoxin exposure.
Animals exposed to mycotoxins may exhibit symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and lethargy. The increasing prevalence of mycotoxins, driven by factors such as poor storage conditions and climate change, poses significant risks to livestock and pets, impacting both animal welfare and the agricultural economy.
To help the industry Randox Food Diagnostics developed the Myco 9 array which allows for the detection of up to nine different mycotoxins from one single sample. Myco 9 allows the detection of multiple mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B1/B2, aflatoxinG1/G2, paxilline, T2 Toxin, ochratoxin A, fumonisins, zearalenone, diacetoxyscirpenol and deoxynivalenol. Validated matrices include cereals and mixed feed, wheat, rye, oats, barley, sugar beet, soya, corn/maize, and oil seeds.
Randox Food Diagnostics also offers an Ergot Alkaloids ELISA in line with the new Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1399. Detecting the lowest maximum levels of the 12 regulated ergot alkaloids applicable from January 2022, for cereal-based feed, wheat, rye, oats, barley, spelt and their milling products.
For more information, contact us directly via email: info@randoxfood.com