Online Reporter
Mutare Bureau
The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has imposed an indefinite ban on the movement of livestock into and out of Buhera District following a confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
The outbreak, which has been traced to buffaloes straying from Save Valley Conservancy and Devure Range, has raised serious concerns over the integrity of game park boundaries.
Affected buffaloes have been wandering into Buhera, Marange and Chipinge districts, reportedly due to vandalised and unrepaired double fencing meant to secure the conservancy areas.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri, confirmed the outbreak and said the Government is urgently working to contain the spread of the disease.
“We are currently doing surveillance and ensuring we control the movement of buffaloes from Save Valley Conservancy,” said Prof Jiri.
“The disease was first detected at two dip tanks in Buhera, prompting DVS to swiftly quarantine the area and the ban on livestock movement is intended to prevent further spread of the highly contagious disease.”
The outbreak comes just weeks after Manicaland had been declared foot-and-mouth-free by DVS, following a successful vaccination campaign that covered nearly 10 000 cattle.
Buhera Rural District Council chairperson, Alderman Thomas Matsenhura, said the issue of stray wild animals has been ongoing for years, largely due to neglected boundary fences around conservancies bordering communal lands.
“Nearly every week, we are having cases of buffaloes straying into Buhera South from conservancies in Bikita,” he said.
“These cases are prevalent in wards 17, 29, 28, 30, 33. Unfortunately, our communities are not forthcoming in making contributions to buy three-strand wires.
“Farmers, especially in irrigation schemes such as Dewure and Birchenough Bridge, are most affected because buffaloes are attracted by the green crops in their fields.”
He said the farmers often chase the animals from their fields, inadvertently driving them deeper into communal areas and increasing the risk of disease transmission.
“We have encouraged these 364 farmers that after selling their produce, they should set aside some funds to purchase wire.
“Right now there are wild animals roaming in Buhera.”
Alderman Matsenhura called on game park owners and conservancy operators to take responsibility for reinforcing perimeter fences.
He also appealed to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to intervene.
