Zimbabwe makes strides in containing anthrax, January disease

GOVERNMENT has introduced a raft of measures that have resulted in significant strides being made in curbing anthrax and the menacing January disease, which is a threat to the national herd.

The Integrated Tick Borne Disease Control strategy, introduced countrywide in a bid to curb cattle deaths, has seen most provinces receiving significant amounts of dipping chemicals which will be complemented by other measures including vaccination of affected areas.

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 has dropped significantly.

“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 closely with the Ministry of Health and Child Care as the disease was also spreading amongst humans.

Dr Makaya said vaccinations were ongoing in places like Chipinge and Gokwe South and North districts where cases of anthrax were recorded.

He said the integrated tick-borne disease control strategy which focuses mostly on dipping as the primary control strategy, through strategic dipping, was the first line of defence.

“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 of 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 has enough dipping chemicals to last for two months. He said the country is 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.

Speaking at the same function, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Owen Ncube said the Second Republic is implementing robust programmes and blueprints which seek to accelerate 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,” he said.

“The Second Republic seeks to grow the national cattle herd to 6 million by 2025 and for Midlands province the target is 950 000 by the same year and currently we stand at 800 000.”

Minister Ncube urged farmers to adhere to laws of animal movement.

“Illegal movement of animals from restricted areas increases the risk of spread of diseases.

Let us work together and ensure the growth of our livestock sector,” he said.

“I urge you framers to intensify efforts to control January disease through regular intensive dipping schedules.”

Mvurachena Farm owner, Mr George Simba Chiunda, who has about 280 cattle, said continuous dipping has been effective in terms of 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 too much and it needs to be safeguarded,” he said.