Vet Dept steps up tick-borne vaccination campaign 9 875 cattle succumb to El Niño effects

THE Department of Veterinary Services is planning to produce 400 000 doses of vaccine for Theileriosis (January disease), 80 000 for Redwater (Babesiosis) and another 80 000 for Anaplasmosis (gall sickness) to contain diseases and boost livestock production.

The department is also expecting to produce 25 million doses of Newcastle vaccine this year to fight the poultry disease compared to 15 million produced last season.

The Veterinary Services Department deputy director diagnostic and research Dr Chenai Majuru said the department was scaling up the production of vaccines for tick borne diseases during this rainy season.

She said they are working on modalities to produce anthrax vaccine in the country, adding that a technical team is on the ground training the experts.

But despite the vaccines, dipping is the major critical component of protecting livestock from tick borne diseases adding that vaccination and tick grease are only complementary measures.

She emphasised weekly dipping intervals of 5-5-4 dipping regime during this rainy season..

“Dipping is a critical measure in eliminating tick borne disease. The

AT least 49 cattle died last week from the effects of poor pastures and rainfall induced by the El Niño in Midlands, Masvingo, Matabeleland North and South bringing the number of cattle that have succumbed to the effects of El Niño in the past year to 9 875.

The rains now falling across the country have been slashing the death rate, with some pastures now growing and clean water is now readily available for livestock.

In a weekly report, the Agricultural and Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) indicated that in the affected four provinces a total of 1 488 523 cattle were identified as high-risk animals prone to drought and poverty deaths out of a total of 2 882 710 animals.

rainy season has always been associated with increased tick activity and an upsurge of tick-borne disease. The process of dipping helps to break the tick cycle. We encourage farmers to dip cattle regularly,’’ he said.

But the report also noted that some parts of Binga district in Matabeleland North and Bulilima district in Matabeleland South were still facing drinking water and grazing challenges.

In a recent interview, Matabeleland South acting provincial agricultural director rural development services, Mr Mkhunjulelwa Ndlovu said livestock was in fair condition and cattle in resettlement areas, where pastures were fair, were still in a good state.

“We have started witnessing fewer cattle poverty deaths under Bulilima district, where a few months ago some farmers lost livestock due to acute water shortages. The water supply is gradually improving and in terms of goats, they are in a good state across Matabeleland South,” added Mr Ndlovu

Last year, the Government declared a national war against January disease following an upsurge in cases and deaths of livestock diseases.

Acting deputy director of veterinary field services Dr Reverend Spargo

Livestock was also improving as drinking water and grazing was now available in most parts of the country.

Farmers were encouraged to implement management practices such as providing ample shade and access to cool water, and adjusting feeding schedules to minimise the impact of heat on cattle health and welfare.

Farmers were also encouraged to establish dedicated fodder plots and provide cattle with adequate water.

The plots were meant to ensure there was adequate feed and forage in the absence of sufficient rains.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said although farmers did not receive rainfall on time the situation was now sounding good.

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recently reminded farmers that they must get permits when moving livestock adding that vaccines are available and farmers should buy from reputable sources.

He also urged farmers to vaccinate their livestock against vector-borne and soil borne diseases to prevent major outbreaks during the rainy season.

Livestock farmers interviewed by The Herald in Zvimba recently said vaccination was crucial, adding that farmer awareness campaigns need to be scaled up.

Mr Chamunorwa Masangwi, said farmers should always dip, dose and vaccinate their livestock even when there was no disease outbreak.

“Farmer awareness needs to be scaled up. We should get a vaccination calendar or get education on vaccinations so that we do not continue losing our cattle,” he said.

Ms Margaret Munemo said farmers believe in keeping large numbers of cattle, but cannot afford to buy chemicals for dosing.

“Another challenge is that we are attached to our livestock and we do not want to sell. Instead of selling part of the herd to get money to buy feed and vaccines, we maintain the large herd which may later be affected by diseases,” she said.

It is advisable for farmers to vaccinate their cattle during the dry season so that they will produce enough antibodies that will fight the disease in wet conditions since more infections are also found in wet season.