dyton mupawaenda
Michael Magoronga-Midlands Bureau
The measures such as a regular cattle dipping and vaccination introduced by Government have resulted in a significant drop in cattle deaths due to anthrax and January disease, particularly in the last three months.
The integrated strategy for tick-borne disease control strategy now applied countrywide, has seen most provinces receiving significant amounts of dipping chemicals to combat the spread of diseases that have previously killed thousands of cattle.
Speaking during an inspection of a spray race at Mvurachena Farm in Kwekwe recently, chief director for Veterinary Services Dr Pious Makaya said animal mortality due to January disease had dropped markedly.
“We have done quite well as the mortalities have since reduced in terms of tick-borne disease. Our dipping programme was very well-received especially in the communal areas and it has yielded results. For the past three months, we also have not received any death from anthrax,” he said.
Dr Makaya said to contain anthrax, the department was working with the Ministry of Health and Child Care as the disease could also hit humans.
Vaccinations are ongoing in areas such as Chipinge and Gokwe South and North districts where cases of anthrax in livestock were recorded.
The integrated tick-borne disease control strategy that focuses mostly on dipping as the primary control strategy, was the first line of defence against cattle disease, said Dr Makaya.
“The primary line of defence is strategic dipping which will be supported by thorough analysis because some animals would have developed resistance due to continuous dipping. This is strongly supported by vaccination in the already infected places so that we reduce mortality by about 70 percent,” said Dr Makaya.
“We are now moving to the second phase where we target A1 and A2 farmers. We introduce a spray race and security for our animals to avoid free movement which risks spread of diseases.”
Dr Makaya said the country had enough dipping chemicals to last for two months and was now manufacturing vaccines for the January disease.
“We are producing vaccines at the laboratory and we are doing well in that line. All provinces are using the vaccines and we are targeting host spots of January disease so that we curb mortality,” he said.
Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube said the Second Republic was implementing robust programmes and blueprints aimed at accelerating attainment of a prosperous upper-middle income society through increased rural per-capita incomes and improved household food security and nutrition.
“Programmes like the livestock recovery and growth plan put in place solid interventions to address livestock production and productivity issues such as tick-borne diseases. The plan aims to strengthen animal disease surveillance and control systems as well as more developed and resilient livestock production systems.
“The Second Republic seeks to grow the national cattle herd to 6 million by 2025 and for Midlands the target is 950 000 by the same year and currently we stand at 800 000,” he said.
Minister Ncube urged farmers to adhere to regulations on animal movement, as violations increase the risk of spreading diseases.
“Let us work together and ensure the growth of our livestock sector. I urge you framers to intensify efforts to control January disease through regular intensive dipping schedules,” said Minister Ncube.
Mvurachena Farm owner, Mr George Chiunda, who has about 280 cattle, said continuous dipping had been effective in protecting his livestock.
“We are very grateful to Government for a number of projects that they roll out to the farmers. We are also making efforts to conform to dipping programmes as per the guidelines by the veterinary department. The value of our cattle is high and it needs to be safeguarded,” he said.
Online Reporter