Veterinary Department warns against eating diseased meat

GOVERNMENT has warned the public against consuming meat from cattle that die from unknown causes as they risk contracting diseases like anthrax.

This comes as cases of humans contracting anthrax are on the increase in the Midlands Province amid fears that they are eating meat from cattle that would have died from the disease.

Midlands Provincial Veterinary Officer, Dr Martin Sibanda, said while the province seems to be on top of the situation in controlling anthrax among cattle, more cases were recorded among humans.

“We vaccinated more than 40 000 cattle against anthrax after anthrax was recorded in some areas, especially the Gokwe area and it seemed we were on top of the situation.

“Currently, anthrax is quiet on cattle but we are only getting reports of humans who would have contracted the disease after eating the meat or biltong they make from the meat,” said Dr Sibanda.

He said his department was working closely with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to try and warn people against eating such meat.

“While it is known that cattle that would have died due to unknown causes are destroyed, we continue working with the Ministry of Health to warn the public against eating the meat,” said Dr Sibanda.

In terms of January Disease Dr Sibanda said although they keep receiving one or two cases, the situation had been contained.

“As you know when there is an outbreak, we cannot say we have totally eradicated the disease, but we keep receiving one or two cases. The most problematic areas in the province were Shurugwi, Zvishavane, Mberengwa and Mvuma but the situation has stabilised since we received cases but not an outbreak status,” he said.

Dr Sibanda said this year, they were more prepared than the previous years in terms of chemical supplies, which are enough to cover the next three months.

“We have also engaged traditional leaders in all affected areas so that they help enforce the maximum dipping of cattle by everyone. We are also moving to evoke the Animal Act, which criminalises non-dipping of cattle and to prosecute those who do not do so because they are a danger to the community,” he said.

Dr Sibanda also said there are some places like Gokwe and Mberengwa which do not have veterinary drug shops near them.

“As a department we are working on a way to buy drugs and supply them to farmers for easy accessibility. There are some places that do not have veterinary service shops near them and this is another gap, which needs to be addressed.”