malvernmugadzikwa
Standrick Chagadama
OUTBREAKS of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have been recorded in four districts this year, with the authorities having successfully contained the situation in three of the affected areas.
The Government has since rolled out robust response measures to curb the spread of the disease, including farmer awareness campaigns, setting up strategic roadblocks leading to affected areas and destruction of illegally moved animals.
A nationwide vaccination campaign has also been launched to protect livestock from the highly contagious disease.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Directorate of Veterinary Services chief director Dr Pious Makaya said: “An outbreak is declared when a single animal in a herd is affected.
“Since January, four districts have experienced at least a single outbreak of FMD each.
“The directorate implemented various measures to curb the disease and outbreaks have been successfully controlled in three of the affected districts.
“Efforts to eliminate the disease in the remaining affected district are continuing until the outbreak is resolved.
“Apart from vaccination, other measures implemented by the Directorate of Veterinary Services include conducting farmer awareness campaigns to increase their knowledge about the disease and quarantining affected areas.
“Implementing movement controls in areas where there is a disease outbreak, prosecuting persons who illegally move animals without a movement permit and destroying illegally moved animals to prevent the spread of the disease to disease-free areas.”
The movement of animals without a valid veterinary permit, he said, is prohibited by law.
Contravention of the Animal Health (Movement of Cattle and Pigs) Regulations of 1988, he added, attracts a fine of up to US$30.
Repeat offenders may face imprisonment for a period of up to six months.
“In addition to this fine, if the directorate suspects that the moved animals are infected with the disease or have the potential to spread FMD to disease-free areas, they are immediately destroyed to eliminate the risk of disease spread.”
He said FMD rarely causes death, with no animals having died from the disease this year.
“African buffaloes serve as a reservoir for the FMD virus and contact between cattle and buffaloes can lead to the spread of the disease, particularly in areas adjacent to national parks,” he added.
“To prevent outbreaks, cattle in these areas are vaccinated twice annually — in March-April and again in August-September — with a booster shot administered during the latter period. These routine vaccinations are crucial in preventing FMD outbreaks.”
During an outbreak of FMD, movement control zones are put in place to help curb the spread of the disease.
A 3km-wide protection zone is set up around affected premises.
“A surveillance zone, with a minimum radius of 10km from the infected premises, is set up around the protection zone,” added Dr Makaya.
“A restricted zone is set up outside these areas and extends as far as necessary to prevent disease spread.
“Zones are lifted as the disease is eradicated from premises once disinfection and verification of disease freedom is met.”
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter