Zimpapers Logo

Courtney Matende Midlands Reporter
OVER 370 cattle have so far died from an outbreak of theileriosis in Chirumanzu and Mberengwa districts in Midlands during the 2018-19 season, the Department of Veterinary Services has said, although the outbreaks have now been contained after dipping was restored.

Chirumhanzu recorded 197 deaths and Mberengwa 177, while the total number of cattle affected by the disease (commonly known as January disease) in the province is now 442.

In an interview, Midlands provincial veterinary services officer Dr Martin Sibanda said the outbreak of the disease in Mvuma and Mberengwa was due to shortage of dipping chemicals, which left cattle vulnerable to tick-borne diseases.

“We have had a few cases of January disease in Gokwe because of buffaloes, but this past season it (theileriosis) broke out in Mvuma in Chirumhanzu district, where close to 200 cattle died and almost 250 were affected,” said Dr Sibanda.

“The disease broke out again in Mberengwa district where it killed 177 cattle and affected close to 200 others. Farmers were not dipping their cattle because we did not have the chemicals.”

Dr Sibanda said the disease has now been contained, but the department was on high alert for another possible outbreak at the onset of the rainy season.

“Right now, we are concerned of another outbreak which seems imminent with the onset of rains, he said.
“The disease parasite is not gone, it is just dormant waiting to be active when wet and warm conditions start.

“The battle we have is fighting ticks and right now we do not have dipping chemicals because the supplier is not producing much.
“We currently have no dipping chemicals and hope to be receiving the chemicals soon,” said Dr Sibanda.