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 Whinsley Masara Chronicle Reporter
THE Government is working to bring under control a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak which hit Hwange District in April.

Hwange district veterinary officer, Dr Lovemore Dube said strategic vaccination exercises were being implemented within the affected parts in Matabeleland North Province to ensure continuous selling of livestock.

“I can confirm that there has been an outbreak of foot and mouth disease which was detected in the district under Matabeleland North Province but the situation in now under control.

“The disease emanates from animals within national park areas,” said Dr Dube.

“Jambesi and Mabale were struck by FMD about three months ago and within Jambesi, it is still spreading very fast to its neighbouring parts but I must say measures are being taken to ease the situation.

“We have implemented some measures to ensure a continuous flow of business between cattle buyers and sellers. After close monitoring of the extent of spread of the disease, we have implemented strategic vaccination exercise.

“This is a situation where we allow free movement of cattle within the affected parts so that they all quickly become infected and then we vaccinate them all at once,” he said.

Dr Dube said the veterinary department had also allowed free movement of cattle from Binga District and areas around it into Hwange district to ensure that butcheries and villagers do not suffer.

“We are aware that cattle rearing is a major source of most people’s livelihood in Matabeleland, hence, we would not allow a prolonged quarantine.

“Foot and mouth is a very tricky disease requiring utmost care and villagers need to understand that we monitor the disease until its last report. Thereafter, we also monitor the situation for another month or two and so they need to bear with us,” said the district veterinary officer.

“We are, however, urging villagers in the affected areas and surrounding areas to adhere to procedural and recommended movement of cattle as prescribed by the Department of Veterinary Services and avoid any unauthorised movements to guard against the spread of the disease.”

He said the spread of FMD has resulted in the Government banning the movement of cattle especially in areas regarded as red zones.

A businessperson who preferred anonymity said cattle are the major store of value in the region and any barriers to trade affects livelihoods.

“Parents have lots of responsibilities which require them to sell cattle and for months now, all trade has been on hold,” said the businessperson.

FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock with significant economic impact. The disease affects cattle and pigs as well as sheep, goats, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. All species of deer and antelope as well as elephant, and giraffe are susceptible to FMD.

Over the past few months FMD has reportedly spread to most parts of Masvingo, Midlands, and Matabeleland North and South provinces.

The Veterinary Services Department has previously noted that about 2,5 million head of cattle were in danger of being affected by FMD and more than $20 million was needed to vaccinate the animals mostly in the southern parts of the country. — @winnie_masara