Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya
A FOOT-AND-MOUTH Disease (FMD) outbreak has rattled Beitbridge farmers, with the Department of Veterinary Services racing against time to contain the deadly livestock scourge.
Authorities confirmed that 42 944 animals had been vaccinated by Monday evening as part of an emergency response programme aimed at halting the spread of the highly contagious disease.
District Veterinary Services head, Dr Rutendo Mwaramba, told stakeholders at a Beitbridge RDC full council meeting that strict livestock movement controls have been rolled out.
“The disease was first picked in Beitbridge West constituency and now it has been concentrated in Beitbridge East,” she said.
“As of the end of last week we had received 400 cases and we continue to get reports daily. We have quarantined animals in the affected areas including cattle, goats, pigs and sheep.”
The department has also stepped up inspections and surveillance, with veterinary officers deployed to monitor animals for signs of infection and enforce quarantine measures.
“Animals in Beitbridge East are the worst affected at the moment with areas like Swereki under Beitbridge West still having new cases. As of close of business on 29 September we had vaccinated 42 944 animals and we expect to have another round after 28 days,” Dr Mwaramba added.
Farmers have been urged to be on the lookout for symptoms such as excessive salivation, lameness, blisters on the mouth and feet, loss of appetite, fever, and weight loss. In some cases, ruptured blisters can lead to dangerous secondary infections.
Public awareness campaigns are being intensified to educate farmers on preventing the spread of the disease which threatens the district’s livestock industry and food security.
For now, Beitbridge remains on high alert as veterinary teams fight to stop the outbreak before it cripples the cattle-rich border district.
