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Tick-borne diseases and theileriosis have been the leading causes of animal deaths in the country over the past few years, the
Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) has said.
In a statement to mark its state of preparedness to ensure that the livestock sector is adequately protected ahead of the
approaching summer season, DVS chief director, Dr Pious Makaya said the major challenge was the increase in outbreaks of
vector-borne diseases, with tick-borne infections topping the list.
“The other three major tick-borne diseases causing animal deaths are gall sickness, redwater and heartwater,” he said.
He said in order to effectively control ticks and the tick-borne diseases (TBDs) they transmit, the DVS has adopted the
Integrated Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Control Strategy (ITTBDCS) whose cornerstone is strategic dipping, where dipping
activities are being complemented by acaricide resistance monitoring and weekly dipping in the summer season.
Under the strategic dipping approach, Dr Makaya said tick resistance profiles to specific dipping chemicals are continually
evaluated to ensure effective cattle dipping.
“The use of tick-borne disease vaccines against theileriosis (January disease), anaplasmosis (gall sickness) and vabesiosis
(redwater) is one of the key components in the implementation of the ITTBDCS.
“In this regard, DVS has stocked adequate dipping chemicals for the entire country to ensure weekly dipping during the
summer season,” he said.
He said his department has also adequate stocks of tick grease for distribution to cattle farmers under the Presidential Blitz
Tick Grease Programme to complement cattle dipping targeting one million households in the upcoming summer season.
In an effort to revamp the country’s dipping infrastructure, Dr Makaya said the directorate will also be carrying out an
Accelerated Dip Tank Rehabilitation Programme before the onset of the rain season.
This year, a total of 5000 dip tanks have been earmarked for rehabilitation, with 396 having been completed whilst more than
350 000 doses of January disease vaccine (BOLVAC), 100 000 doses each of the redwater and gall sickness vaccines are
targeted for the 2024/2025 summer season, he said.
The Directorate will also continue carrying out tsetse fly and trypanosomiasis disease surveillance targeting 12 500km2 in the
tsetse infected and high-risk areas this summer season, said Dr Makaya.
“A total of 17 800 tsetse targets and tsetse odour sachets will be deployed 445 km long from Kariba Lakeshore in Mola to
Mututa Basin in Mbire District.
“A total of 4 200 square kilometers has been targeted for the progressive tsetse trypanosomiasis elimination this summer to
reduce the burden to affected communities,” he said. – New Ziana
Online Reporter