The ManicaPost
Susan Nyamangodo, Farming Correspondent
AN OUTBREAK of black leg is seriously affecting livestock production in Nyanga North.
Black leg is an infectious bacterial disease most commonly caused by a Gram-positive bacterial species.
It is seen in livestock all over the world, usually affecting cattle, sheep, and goats.
In an interview this week, Nyanga North legislator Chido Sanyatwe said the outbreak of the disease was due to drought and lack of water.
“This disease is seriously affecting our livestock to the extent that many of them are dying everyday.
“This means farmers who used to survive on livestock production are now suffering,” she said.
Villages being affected include Matema and Bende.
One of the residents Mr Fanuel Kabadza expressed concern over the outbreak of the disease as the cattle were now dying at a fast rate.
“Everyday we are seeing that our cattle numbers are declining due to black leg and we are appealing to the Veterinary Services Department to help us. Some of us are dependant on livestock production for survival,” he expressed.
Acting Manicaland veterinary officer Mr Charles Guri said they were yet to be informed of the outbreak but they have sent a team to investigate the situation of the outbreak.
“We know black leg is a disease which affects livestock, but on this case we were not informed of the outbreak in Nyanga North hence we cannot comment anything concerning the issue, but rather a team will be sent to the area to investigate on the outbreak from the villages,” said Mr Guri.
