January disease threatens farmers

Elita Chikwati Senior Reporter
January disease or Theileriosis, has decimated cattle herds in Chikomba, Mashonaland East, as the tick-borne disease continues to cause havoc in some parts of the country.

Theileriosis, which is common between December and March is most prevalent in January hence the name January disease.

The disease is spread through the bite of the brown ear tick.

Chikomba Central legislator Cde Felix Mhona expressed concern that some farmers no longer have any cattle for draught power and this will affect their land preparations as most of them cannot afford to hire tractors for tillage.

“Farmers are losing cattle at an alarming rate. The disease has continued to kill cattle in the area and some farmers have had their whole herds wiped out. The farmers depend on livestock for farming, food and also sell to send their children to school,” he said.

In response to the question raised by Cde Mhona in Parliament on what Government was doing to help farmers in the area, Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement Minister Air Chief Marshal Perrance Shiri (Retired) on Wednesday said Government was aware of the challenge and was assisting farmers with chemicals.

“Investigations to ascertain the cause of livestock deaths in Chikomba have been undertaken. The disease has been confirmed to be a tick-borne disease called Theileriosis (January disease), which is prevalent during the rainy season.

“Government is mobilising more acaricides and channelling them to Chikomba and other districts where there is high risk of such diseases.

“The move is meant to improve the dipping frequency to once a week as a measure to control the diseases,” he said.

Minister Shiri said there were extension officers in all wards countrywide who could also assist farmers.

He also discouraged people from consuming meat from cattle that would have died from unknown diseases.

The Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services has also confirmed that January disease has become a problem in most areas, particularly in Mashonaland East.

According to the department, more than 2 000 cattle had died from the disease since the end of January and the number continues to grow.

Government is urging farmers to intensify dipping of their livestock as a prevention measure.

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

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, difficulty in breathing, with froth from the nose and mouth.

The affected animal collapses and dies within few days.

January disease is a notifiable disease in Zimbabwe, which means affected farmers are compelled to report to the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services.