MORE than 1,2 million cattle from the country’s anthrax hotspots have been vaccinated, as the Government steps up efforts to protect the national beef and dairy herds from the bacterial disease that also affects humans.
Livestock, particularly cattle, are usually infected during grazing. People are infected when they either handle or eat meat from an infected animal.
In Zimbabwe, most cases are recorded during the rainy season.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Department of Veterinary Services chief director, Dr Josphat Nyika, said anthrax hotspots include Gokwe, Nkayi, Gutu and Bikita.
“We are pleased to announce that we managed to vaccinate 1 234 070 cattle, surpassing our target of one million, before the onset of the rains, which are expected to start falling this (last) week,” he said.
“We were targeting hotspots and have succeeded. In 2021, between September and November, 979 anthrax cases were recorded in cattle, with three deaths, while 212 cases were recorded in humans.”
Dr Nyika said farmers in less-prone areas also need to ensure their herds are vaccinated once a year, before the rainy season.
He said anthrax carcasses must be disposed of by burning and burying the ashes to ensure the bacteria is not left exposed.
“In areas where firewood is problematic, it is recommended to dig a pit — six feet deep — bury the carcass, cover it completely with soil and apply a layer of agricultural lime before filling the rest of the pit with soil. This is best done under the supervision of veterinary advisory officers.”
Dr Nyika urged cattle farmers to purchase a “three-in-one vaccine”, which is effective in preventing diseases such as anthrax, blackleg and botulism, which are also prevalent during wet seasons.
“This wet season makes our national herd susceptible to a litany of deadly diseases and there is need for joint efforts to successfully avert acute mortalities. There is the lumpy skin disease, a deadly viral disease that is spread by mosquitoes, as well as other diseases. Farmers need to be on the lookout for these diseases as they vaccinate their animals,” he said.
This year, the country’s cattle mortality declined by 49 percent.
To grow the national herd and reduce mortality, the Government is refurbishing 2 000 dip tanks countrywide, distributing one million kilogrammes of tick grease and has begun the local production of 20 460 Bolvac vaccines for the January Disease. – The Sunday Mail
