Cletus Mushanawani Mash Central Bureau
A FOOT and Mouth Disease outbreak has hit Rushinga District of Mashonaland Central, with 75 cases having been reported last week. Mashonaland Central Provincial Veterinary Officer, Dr Wilmot Chikurunhe, confirmed the outbreak, which was detected at Bopoma dip tank on June 25.

An investigation into the disease was launched from June 26 and was confirmed on Monday last week, with areas like Mt Darwin and Karoi where some of the infected cattle were moved, also having cases of the outbreak confirmed.
Dr Chikurunhe said the disease had originated from Mozambique, where they suspected there was an outbreak.

Rushinga and Mt Darwin districts have a cattle population about 41 000 and 120 000, respectively.
The Veterinary Department has since quarantined the area, with all cattle movements halted until the disease is under control.

Although vaccines are a challenge, a consignment has since been dispatched to the affected areas.
Dr Chikurunhe appealed for more vaccines from the head office to fight the disease, which negatively impacts on the beef industry value chain.

“I can confirm an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in Rushinga District. As a country endemic to the Foot and Mouth Disease, it was divided into infected, vaccination and free zones.

“All along the disease was known to affect areas in the southern and western parts surrounding national parks like Hwange and Gonarezhou where cattle will be in contact with buffaloes. Buffaloes are the source of the disease.

“The northern parts of this country have been free of Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak until the first case was reported on June 25. The first suspected case was reported at Bopoma dip tank in Rushinga. The disease spread from Mozambique where there is an outbreak.

“Some cattle movement took place during that period and we are investigating suspected cases in Mutangagore area of Mt Darwin. There were also cattle movement to Karoi in Mashonaland West where some infections were recorded in the area where the cattle from Rushinga were taken,” said Dr Chikurunhe.

He said although the disease does not kill adult animals, its economic impact was severe.
“Once an outbreak in reported, the country that imports beef products from the country where the outbreak is reported will stop the imports until the disease is under control. Several livelihoods are affected in the process. This will have serious economic implications on industries along the beef value chain.

“The beef industry value chain include the farmers, agents, auctioneers, local authorities that derive revenue from cattle sales, abattoirs, butcheries and consumers and all these are affected by the outbreak of infectious diseases like Foot and Mouth,” he said.

As a way of controlling the spread of the disease, Dr Chikurunhe said the Zimbabwe Republic Police had been notified not to clear animals for movement from the affected areas.

He said they were carrying out awareness campaigns and controlling all cattle movements.

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