Online Reporter
Nyasha Simbisai
Agriculture Correspondent
Zimbabwe remains largely free of foot-and-mouth disease as the recent outbreak in Mangwe, Matabeleland South, is under control measures to curb further spread of the disease.
This comes as the Government has intensified surveillance and border controls to safeguard the national herd.
There has been a surge in FMD outbreaks in neighbouring countries, including Botswana.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development permanent secretary Professor Obert Jiri said this in an interview yesterday.
He confirmed a recent FMD outbreak in Mangwe District, which has since been officially notified and placed under strict control measures.
Investigations traced the outbreak to a stray buffalo.
“Veterinary teams are working to contain the disease and prevent further spread. So far, Zimbabwe remains safe in terms of foot-and-mouth disease, except for Mangwe, which is already under control,” he said.
Prof Jiri said the situation demanded increased vigilance due to a surge in FMD cases in neighbouring countries, including South Africa, Botswana and Zambia.
He said the Government was closely monitoring developments across borders and may issue additional guidance in the coming days to ensure the country’s disease-free status is maintained.
“The regional situation is tense, but we are confident that with vigilance and timely interventions, we will keep the situation calm,” he said.
Turning to tick-borne diseases, Prof Jiri said January disease had devastated the national herd in 2017, claiming more than half a million cattle.
Since then, he said, the Government had implemented a range of measures that have significantly reduced losses.
These include the development and rollout of a locally produced vaccine, strengthened dipping programmes under the 5-5-4 regime, and the provision of tick grease, spray races and pour-on treatments.
“January disease is no longer as severe as it once was. Losses are now minimal, and wherever outbreaks occur, we are able to bring them under control,” said Prof Jiri.
He said continued adherence to dipping schedules and integrated tick management remained the most effective way of protecting cattle.
With sustained surveillance, vaccination and farmer compliance, Prof Jiri expressed confidence that both FMD and January disease would remain under control in the coming weeks.
