January disease: Over 400 cattle die in Midlands

OVER 400 cattle in Midlands province are said to have succumbed to theileriosis, often referred to as January disease, since the beginning of this year, the Veterinary department has said.

Theileriosis is caused by ticks and often kills cattle, sheep, goats and wildlife in Africa, southern Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia.

In Zimbabwe, the disease mostly affects cattle.

Midlands province veterinary officer Martin Sibanda told Southern Eye that the department had asked farmers to take their cattle for dipping three times in a fortnight to fight the disease.

He said Shurugwi district had most cases of January disease in the province.

“Increased cases of the disease in cattle have become worrisome,” Sibanda said.

“We now require farmers to dip their cattle at least three times per fortnight as a way of combating the disease.

“There is also a shortage of dipping chemicals.

“The heavy rains experienced over the past few weeks have resulted in farmers not dipping their livestock regularly,” he said.

The disease, which has a fatality rate of up to 90%, is mostly common between December and March.

January Disease is a notifiable disease in Zimbabwe and when cases are suspected farmers are compelled by the law to report to the Department of Veterinary Services.

During the same period four years ago, more than 2 000 heads of cattle succumbed to the tickborne disease in Mashonaland West province.

Some farmers end up selling their cattle for as little as US$70 in fear of incurring losses due to deaths from the disease.