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Conrad Mupesa-Mashonaland West Bureau
CLOSE to 100 cattle have died to Theileriosis also known as January disease in Mashonaland West province this year, with Hurungwe being the most hit district.
Provincial veterinary officer Dr Thokozani Mswela confirmed the figures to The Herald before calling farmers to prioritise dipping of their cattle to get rid of ticks that cause the deadly disease.
The outbreak threatens the country’s Livestock Recovery Plan which the government has put in place to address a number of challenges that are constraining livestock production, productivity and profitability.
The plan targets to address the challenges in the key areas of animal health, animal genetics, animal nutrition, and other related parameters with positive participation of farmers expected to bring anticipated results.
Said Dr Mswela: “We have recorded an outbreak of the Theileriosis in the province with close to 50 cattle having succumbed to the disease in Hurungwe district. Zvimba has recorded 24 deaths from a total of 59 cases this January.
“Other districts that have been affected include Mhondoro-Ngezi and Chegutu where 12 and seven cattle died respectively.”
While Sanyati district recorded over 100 deaths last year, the intervention by local legislator of Sanyati constituency, Dr Polite Kambamura has seen a drastic decline in the figures.
The district has recorded only three deaths since the outbreak this year.
Dr Kambamura has partnered with communal farmers to construct dip tanks that have become a life changer to communal farmers who use cattle as source of wealth and draught power.
He is providing material, funding and dipping chemicals while the community provides labour.
Dr Mswela said the distribution of chemicals in all the affected areas has been intensified with farmers encouraged to report suspected cases on time to the vet offices.
Online Reporter