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Herald Reporter

Hundreds of thousands of cattle are being vaccinated against anthrax by the Department of Veterinary Services in the hotspots across a swathe of districts to prevent the disease spreading and endangering livestock and humans.

The targeted areas in the present campaign are Gokwe North, Gokwe South, Shamva, Lupane, Mazowe, Binga and Zaka.

The blitz will add to the 531 822 cattle so far vaccinated this year.

Acting Deputy Director of Veterinary Field Services Dr Reverend Spargo said part of the programme was to increase farmer awareness on the disease and to prevent the risk of people contracting anthrax through eating infected meat.

“We are in the anthrax prone period,” he said. “When we receive the first rains that’s when we have outbreaks of anthrax. We are carrying out vaccinations in hotspot areas. We are working to ensure that our livestock is protected from the deadly disease.

“People should not open up carcases or eat meat from livestock affected by anthrax. What is so surprising is that people are consuming infected meat which is even dangerous for their health. We urge people to report anthrax cases before it spreads.”

Dr Spargo urged all suspected cases to be reported to the nearest Veterinary Office and the carcasses burnt and buried.

He said next year the department was planning to produce doses locally of anthrax and black leg vaccines, with about 1, 2 million doses needed every year.

Zimbabwe has been importing the vaccine from Botswana for US$300 000 every year, but now wanted to step up local supplies. Zimbabwe National Farmers Union vice president Mr Edward Dune said farmers should be equipped with enough information on the dangers of anthrax, adding that vaccination of livestock was crucial.

“If farmers are equipped with enough information they can respond accordingly,” he said. “We appeal for service providers to intensify awareness campaigns. Farmers should report such cases to the Veterinary Department.  Some farmers are not aware of the difference between tick-borne diseases and anthrax and this causes challenges. Farmers should seek assistance from local veterinary officers.”

Signs of anthrax include sudden death of livestock, rapid decomposition of the bloated carcasses and tar-like blood coming out of all natural openings.

Blood from a contaminated carcass is brownish and does not clot

Anthrax is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by bacteria that normally affects animals, especially ruminants such as cattle, but being a bacteria it is easily treatable with antibiotics if detected in time.

Zimbabwe usually experiences anthrax outbreaks during the rainfall season because rains wash away the top soil and expose spores that can remain dormant in the soil for over 40 years.

Livestock, particularly cattle, take up anthrax bacteria while grazing on contaminated land. People get infected when they handle or eat anthrax-infected meat. Statistics indicate that this year alone, 36 cattle have succumbed to the disease and 200 people have contracted the disease, but no deaths were recorded.