Online Reporter
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
THE Government has tightened restrictions on the movement of cattle in foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)-affected areas of Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South as veterinary authorities race to prevent the highly contagious disease from spreading to unaffected districts.
Farmers in areas under quarantine are being urged not to move cattle without veterinary clearance, amid fears that uncontrolled livestock movement could accelerate the spread of the disease and threaten Zimbabwe’s national herd.
About 90 percent of the country’s 5,7 million cattle are in rural areas.
New FMD cases were reported last week in parts of Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, according to the latest Directorate of Veterinary Services weekly highlights for Week 34 ending August 21.
The Veterinary Services Department said the cases were confined to areas already under quarantine, where strict livestock movement controls have been activated as a key measure to contain the disease.
“The cases remain confined to areas already under quarantine. Farmer-awareness activities are continuing, alongside strict livestock-movement controls aimed at containing the disease and preventing its spread to unaffected areas,” reads part of the weekly update.
The restrictions come as southern Africa battles widespread outbreaks of FMD, with Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini also reporting cases.
The regional outbreaks have sparked fears of cross-border transmission, placing greater importance on surveillance and strict controls on the movement of livestock.
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, goats, sheep and pigs.
The disease spreads through direct contact between infected animals, contaminated grazing areas and other forms of exposure, making the uncontrolled movement of livestock one of the biggest risks during an outbreak.
Infected animals develop fever and painful blisters in the mouth and on the feet, often resulting in excessive salivation and lameness.
Beyond livestock deaths and production losses, outbreaks can severely disrupt the meat and dairy industries and restrict access to export markets.
Nyamandlovu farmer, Mr Philani Manzini, also raised concerns about FMD cases in their area during the recent Zimbabwe Beef Producers’ Society (ZBPS) Matabeleland South 2026 Field Day at the Ruvale Ranching under Matopos Research Institute, which is run by the Pilossof family.
He inquired about Government support, saying they were not receiving vaccines in the area with farmers counting their losses.
In response, Matabeleland North Provincial Veterinary Director Dr Sitokozile Sibanda said the shortage of FMD vaccines was not unique to Zimbabwe, with several countries in the region struggling to secure adequate supplies.
“I was actually at a SADC meeting sometime in April where we were discussing this shortage of vaccine. Botswana Vaccine Institute does not have the capacity right now to supply all of us with the vaccine. Other countries are importing from Argentina and some even from Turkey,” she said.
Dr Sibanda said the province was prioritising vaccination of cattle requiring movement, as limited vaccine supplies were being strategically deployed.
She said Matabeleland North had received 5 000 doses from an earlier consignment of about 40 000 doses distributed nationally.
Dr Sibanda said they had half of that because they were using it only for pre-movement. The Government recently received the first consignment of an anticipated 300 000 doses of FMD vaccine from the Botswana Vaccine Institute.
The Directorate of Veterinary Services said the vaccines would be strategically deployed to high-risk and affected areas to contain existing outbreaks and limit further transmission.
However, with demand for vaccines outstripping supply, farmers have been given the greenlight to source their own vaccines, subject to veterinary regulations.
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira said farmers with the financial capacity could import vaccines after obtaining the necessary permits.
“If, as farmers, you are able to source your own vaccines to mitigate the challenge, as Government we do not have a problem with that. We give you the greenlight to mobilise your resources and then approach the Directorate of Veterinary Services for a permit to be able to import the FMD vaccines,” he said.
FMD has emerged as a major concern in Matabeleland North, with Umguza identified as the worst affected district.
Dr Sibanda said cases had also been recorded in Bulawayo and Tsholotsho, with the disease now extending into Bubi and Lupane districts.
“The worst affected district in Matabeleland North is Umguza, then there were some cases in Bulawayo, Tsholotsho, while it has also now encroached into Bubi and Lupane,” she said.
Meanwhile, veterinary authorities in Matabeleland South are investigating reports of suspected FMD cases in the Mukashi area.
Matabeleland South Provincial Veterinary Director Dr Enat Mdlongwa said teams were on the ground to establish the extent of the suspected outbreak.
“The Directorate of Veterinary Services is aware of reports of a suspected Foot and Mouth Disease situation in the Mukashi area of Matabeleland South. Veterinary teams are currently conducting investigations to establish the facts on the ground, including the disease status and circumstances surrounding the reported cases,” he said.
“At this stage, it would be premature to comment on the alleged source or movement of the cattle until the investigations have been concluded.”
Dr Mdlongwa said the Directorate continued to implement surveillance and disease-control measures in high-risk areas.
