Blackleg kills 400 cattle in Gutu

disease.
The disease has killed cattle in Munyikwa, Bhasera, Masema and Chitsa communal lands. Villagers are calling on Government to intervene and assist in buying the vaccines.
The veterinary department only assists in the provision of vaccines for diseases such as anthrax, while cattle owners are supposed to buy own vaccines for diseases such as blackleg.
However, there are growing fears that more cattle might die in Gutu district if villagers are not assisted to buy the vaccines. Masvingo provincial veterinary officer Dr Enerst Dzimwasha, on Tuesday said villagers were supposed to buy their own vaccines.
Dr Dzimwasha said they were still to receive the actual statistics of cattle that had died of blackleg in Gutu.
“We have heard reports of blackleg killing cattle in Gutu. But we are still to receive reports from our officers on the ground.
“We do not assist villagers in the procurement of vaccines for diseases such as blackleg, they have to source their own vaccines and we only deal with diseases such as anthrax,” he said.
Dr Dzimwasha, however, said it was prudent for Government to extend the mandate of the Veterinary Department to cover diseases such as blackleg.