The ManicaPost
Moffat Mungazi
Post Report
MANICALAND is stepping up efforts to protect its provincial herd of cattle through measures to contain and control the spread of January Disease, a senior Government official has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the provincial launch of the fight against January Disease, also known known as theileriosis, at Mupudzi Dip Tank in Mutare District today, chief director in the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) Dr Josphat Nyika said Government has declared war against against the tick-borne disease following an upsurge in cases and deaths in livestock across the country.
He said the exercise comes in the wake of the country having lost more than 500 000 herd of cattle over the past five years.
“Government is intensifying the fight against January Disease so as to protect the country’s herd of cattle after the declaration made on January 25 followed by the national launch on February 8. This is aimed at curbing the spread of theileriosis and protect farmers from losing their livestock to the tick-borne disease. We are on an intensive drive with awareness activities in communities through collaborations with traditional leaders. More than 200 000 farmers have been reached in the process as we are leaving no one and no place behind.
“As we step up the cattle dipping programmes, we are targeting hotspot areas notorious for January Disease like Makoni District where cattle are now dipping three times fortnightly against the normal regime of once a week. This has drastically reduced the cases and deaths of livestock,” said Dr Nyika.
He said DVS has also intensified the Presidential Teak Grease distribution as 1,5 million kgs will be distributed to livestock farmers this year, expressing confidence that efforts to fight January Disease will be fruitful.
