tawandamusarurwa
Online Reporter
GOVERNMENT is targeting to produce at least 500 000 doses of animal vaccines this year to protect the country’s livestock from disease outbreaks, according to the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS).
The initiative is part of the Livestock Recovery and Growth Plan (2021-2026), which is designed to boost livestock production and strengthen animal health systems.
Diseases such as gall sickness (anaplasmosis), Redwater (babesiosis) and the January disease (theileriosis) have claimed more than 500 000 cattle in the last five years.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, DVS chief director Dr Pious Makaya said the department had partnered with international research institutions and the private sector to develop the Integrated Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Control Strategy (ITTBDCS).
“For tick-borne disease vaccines in 2024, we are targeting to produce 300 000 doses of theileria vaccine; 100 000 doses of gall sickness (anaplasma) vaccine; and 100 000 doses of Redwater (babesia) vaccines.
“The vaccines require only one dose and the immunity develops after four to six weeks, providing lifelong protection,” said Dr Makaya.
ITTBDCS, he said, will provide a framework to tackle challenges of ticks and tick-borne diseases countrywide.
“The strategy has three key components: strategic dipping, acaricide resistance monitoring and vaccination of cattle at risk.”
Presently, the country has a stockpile of 150 000 doses of the theileria vaccine, 17 000 doses of the gall sickness vaccine and 25 700 doses of the Redwater vaccine.
Dr Makaya said cattle dipping remains the primary strategy for controlling ticks and preventing tick infestations and associated infections.
“Plunge dipping is the most common method for applying acaricides, but other methods such as knapsack spraying, mechanised spray races, pour-on formulations and tick grease application may be used when they are more convenient than plunge dipping.”
Apart from livestock diseases, he added, the Government was also working on improving the genetic performance of cattle to help expand the national herd.
“The Government’s blueprint seeks to address the poor performance of the livestock sector,” he said.
“Key challenges underlying the poor performance included low off-take, low fertility, high mortality and morbidity, low carcass weight, poor quality and an inability to compete in the export market.
“The plan also addresses issues related to animal health, sanitation, feed safety, adequate nutrition, genetics and infrastructure suitable for accessing lucrative domestic, regional and international markets.”
Online Reporter