The Veterinary Services Department has banned the movement of livestock in Mbire, Mashonaland Central Province, because of an anthrax outbreak.
Acting provincial co-ordinator, Richard Chipfuwa, revealed that 34 beasts have so far died from the disease and a poor road network in the district is making it difficult for veterinary officials to access some of the dip tanks. Said Chipfuwa:
These (the 34) are the reported cases, but we suspect there could be many more that were not reported.
We have since mobilized vaccines to the district’s five dip tanks: Nyatsengwa, Masomo, Tengu, Bonga and Sapa, so that farmers can have the remaining herd saved.
Last year, Mashonaland Central Province lost nearly 1 300 cattle due to anthrax and other livestock diseases.
According to Mayo Clinic, anthrax is caused by a spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus anthracis and mainly affects livestock and wild animals.