Chronicle Editor
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is continuing to spread in Chipinge District with hundreds of cattle reported to have contracted the disease.
An outbreak of the disease was initially reported in August in Middle Sabi, but it has since spread to all corners of the district.
A survey carried out by The Herald Eastern Edition showed that the highly contagious disease is threatening the survival of the national herd because it is spreading at an alarming rate.
Farmers interviewed expressed concern over the outbreak and called for immediate intervention.
A leading Brahman breeder and former leading milk producer, Mr David Joubert of Luipedsvlei, said they were feeling the impact of the disease.
Mr Joubert said milk supplies had drastically decreased since over 70 dairy cows had contracted the disease on his farm.
“We now fear for our livestock because of this foot and mouth disease,” he said. “So far milk production has drastically fallen, as over 70 milk cows have been quarantined.
“There is need to curb the illegal movement of cattle to control the spread of the disease that once killed 80 percent of my cattle in 2003. If foot and mouth is not urgently controlled, it will not affect milk production alone, but the quality and quantity of the national herd too.”
Another Middle Sabi farmer who requested anonymity said effects of foot and mouth outbreak were persisting, as they continued to lose their livestock despite Government interventions.
He said the outbreak of the disease would continue, as long livestock mixed freely with wild animals straying from the nearby Save conservancy.
“The disease is continuing to affect our cattle since early August and the number of cattle contracting the disease is rising,” said the farmer.
“The outbreak cannot be contained easily as long as our cattle continue mixing with buffaloes straying from the nearby conservancy. We need to curb the movements of wild animals first to stop this disease.”
Chipinge District Civil Protection Unit chairperson, Mr William Mashava, said efforts were being made to combat the spread of the disease before it becomes severe.
“We have adopted a multi-sectoral approach, which involves many stakeholders to contain the outbreak, he said. “At the moment, we are mobilising more resources that will be used on the ground.”
Online Reporter