Coronavirus outbreak: East Africa hit by second locust invasion as it battles COVID-19

Efforts to contain an upsurge of swarming locusts in East Africa continue despite restrictions on movement and equipment imposed by governments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has also had an impact on the supply of motorized sprayers and pesticides as global air freight has reduced significantly and restrictions, which poses problems particularly for small-scale farmers and food supply.

Widespread rainfall which started in March is expected to produce a dramatic increase in locust numbers in East Africa over the coming months, with new swarms expected to move from Kenya into South Sudan and Uganda.

In Kenya, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) is training farmers to use motorized sprayers to contain the locusts.

The desert locust is considered the most destructive migratory pest in the world and a single swarm covering one square kilometre can contain up to 80 million locusts.

#GlobalNews

[rosemarystorm]

Is there ANY way to capture / harvest them and eat them? I hear they are a good source of protein and don't taste bad. Can this somehow be turned into a food source?

[joshjosh]

What an absolutely horrific battle against these things.

[mawi]

Send the pigeons of New York to Kenya. Some sea gulls too. That's what Salt Lake City did a century ago. And it worked for them.

[freetacoforlife]

that looks like a lot of protein swarms of protein

[theclassytroglodyteclssyt]

Man: it cant get any worse than this


God: ya figure?

[samuelzummer]

*Locusts *make an invasion to China
Chinesse : hmmm looks delicious
Locusts : GET BACK! WE SURRENDER

[Glenn]

give a moments thought to AFRICA during this difficult time - PEACE AFRICA - KEEP AFRICA SAFE

[faith]

Sounds like there are plenty of long term worthwhile jobs in East Africa

[gravijta]

Is that specific species of locust edible? Before being sprayed of course.

[Puggalug]

Between the nuclear radiation due to that fire around Chernobyl, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the locusts, 2020 looks so apocalyptic.

[starrnelson]

Do the spray kill the locust and the crops? What I came to see.

[redbear]

CHINESE EAT LOCUST....SELL IT TO THEM...

[ryis]

Giant bug zappers, commonly known as 5g towers should do the trick.

[lucaslindseyJESUSBOY]

Humble yourselves and seek Gods face, and He will heal your land.

[Bronxmoody]

I am so scared of bugs I would freak out!!!

[devinelady]

Someone needs to build a really big vacuum

[lpgmore]

Can increase or effect coronavirus in India

[swpa]

One time I thought I left my garage door open, but when I got home I realized I did not.

[emiliospowerballer]

Meanwhile in China: but they look delicious

[thesponge]

This sounds like a way bigger deal than the coronavirus in their country. Maybe making exceptions for people handling this would be a good idea.