Heather Charema Mash West Correspondent
CHEGUTU Rural District Council has urged Government to intervene as farmers in the Mhondoro-Mubaira area continue losing their cattle to Theileriosis.

The disease also known as “January disease” has claimed close to 3 000 cattle nationwide.

According to Chegutu RDC, cattle were dying in most wards of Mhondoro-Mubaira owing to the shortage of dipping chemicals.

Government has since intensified awareness campaigns in affected areas that include Goromonzi, Bindura, Chegutu and Chivhu.

In an interview, Chegutu RDC chairman Mr Farai Charakatenda said Government should intervene as villagers were losing their cattle.

“We are calling on Government to intervene because we have continued to lose more cattle throughout these past months,” Mr Charakatenda said.

“In Mhondoro-Mubaira we have received reports of serious cases in wards 2, 7 and 27 — the Watyoka area. The disease has left us poorer because the wealth of a farmer is in the kraal.”

He said affected animals take only a few days to die.

“Once the cattle have contracted the disease, it cannot be reversed. If the Government considers increasing the supply of dipping chemicals we may be able to recover,” he said.

The chemical shortage, Mr Charakatenda said, was a major problem in the area that needed serious attention.

“A number of cattle in the area are not being dipped due to lack of chemicals while a few farmers may manage to spray their cattle. The loss has affected the whole community and our Government should assist with chemicals,” he said.

Mr Charakatenda also called on Government to consider restocking the affected areas so that the farmers contribute to boosting the national herd.

Farmers pay a dipping fee of $2 per animal per year.

Signs of an animal affected by January disease include swelling of the lymph nodes under the ears and on the shoulder, cloudiness of the eyes, difficulties in breathing with froth from the nose and mouth.

Heather Charema Mash West Correspondent
CHEGUTU Rural District Council has urged Government to intervene as farmers in the Mhondoro-Mubaira area continue losing their cattle to Theileriosis.

The disease also known as “January disease” has claimed close to 3 000 cattle nationwide.

According to Chegutu RDC, cattle were dying in most wards of Mhondoro-Mubaira owing to the shortage of dipping chemicals.

Government has since intensified awareness campaigns in affected areas that include Goromonzi, Bindura, Chegutu and Chivhu.

In an interview, Chegutu RDC chairman Mr Farai Charakatenda said Government should intervene as villagers were losing their cattle.

“We are calling on Government to intervene because we have continued to lose more cattle throughout these past months,” Mr Charakatenda said.

“In Mhondoro-Mubaira we have received reports of serious cases in wards 2, 7 and 27 — the Watyoka area. The disease has left us poorer because the wealth of a farmer is in the kraal.”

He said affected animals take only a few days to die.

“Once the cattle have contracted the disease, it cannot be reversed. If the Government considers increasing the supply of dipping chemicals we may be able to recover,” he said.

The chemical shortage, Mr Charakatenda said, was a major problem in the area that needed serious attention.

“A number of cattle in the area are not being dipped due to lack of chemicals while a few farmers may manage to spray their cattle. The loss has affected the whole community and our Government should assist with chemicals,” he said.

Mr Charakatenda also called on Government to consider restocking the affected areas so that the farmers contribute to boosting the national herd.

Farmers pay a dipping fee of $2 per animal per year.

Signs of an animal affected by January disease include swelling of the lymph nodes under the ears and on the shoulder, cloudiness of the eyes, difficulties in breathing with froth from the nose and mouth.