Andrew
Online Reporter
FARMERS should increase the frequency of dipping their cattle to complement Government efforts to eradicate tsetse flies and control ticks, the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services has said.
During a tour to check on progress made in tsetse and tick control in Kariba, Mashonaland West, acting deputy director of the tsetse control division in the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, Mr Obert Nyirenda, said farmers in northern parts of Zimbabwe need to play their part by religiously dipping their livestock.
“Tsetse flies cause a deadly sleeping sickness in humans, whilst causing nagana in cattle. Tick-borne diseases include heart water and gall-sickness,” said Mr Nyirenda.
Ticks and tsetse flies used to account for 60 percent deaths in livestock.
Kariba acting district veterinary officer, Mr Lovemore Nyamuchera, said farmers risk losing their animals to various diseases that rise from not dipping their animals.
“It is important for farmers to note that we have come a long way in the fight against tsetse (flies) and we are about to win.
“So, we now need to take dipping seriously and we discourage absconding dipping,” he said.
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter