Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
The Department of Veterinary Services has intensified efforts to control and prevent the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Beitbridge District where authorities had vaccinated 42 944 animals as of Monday evening.
Recent outbreaks have prompted the authorities to take stringent measures to protect the livestock industry and ensure food security.
District Veterinary Services head, Dr Rutendo Mwaramba, told stakeholders during the Beitbridge RDC full council meeting on Tuesday that the department has imposed strict movement controls on livestock, restricting the movement of animals from infected areas to disease-free zones.
She said the disease was first picked in Beitbridge West constituency and that now it has been concentrated in Beitbridge East constituency.
Dr Mwaramba said the department was now carrying out a comprehensive vaccination programme to immunise livestock against FMD.
The vaccination campaign targets cattle, goats and pigs in the affected areas.
“As of the end of last week we had received 400 cases and we continue to get the reports daily. So what we have done is to quarantine animals in the affected areas including cattle, goats, pigs and sheep,” said Dr Mwaramba.
“We have also enhanced surveillance to monitor the movement and health status of livestock in the district. Veterinary officers are conducting regular inspections and testing to detect any signs of the disease.
“Animals in Beitbridge East are the worst affected at the moment, with areas like Swereki under Beitbridge West still having new cases coming up. As of close of business on 29 September we had vaccinated 42 944 animals and we expect to have another round after 28 days.”
Since the outbreak of FMD in the area recently, the Department of Veterinary Services, working with line stakeholders, has been conducting public awareness campaigns to educate farmers and the general public on the importance of FMD control and prevention measures.
Some common signs and symptoms of FMD include fluid-filled blisters or vesicles on the feet, mouth, tongue and lips. Affected animals may exhibit lameness or stiffness due to foot lesions, excessive salivation or drooling due to mouth lesions. Animals may show a decrease in appetite due to mouth and foot lesions, reduced productivity and weight loss can occur due to the disease, and the affected animals may develop a fever.
In some instances, blisters can rupture, leading to secondary infections.
