Ten (10) cattle that were illegally moved from a farm in Banket to Chinhoyi were destroyed over the weekend by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS).
DVS destroyed the livestock as part of efforts to fight the spread of January disease, also known as Theileriosis.
The cattle only had police clearance but had no veterinary movement permit.
Under the Animal Health Act, farmers and livestock dealers need veterinary clearance to move livestock.
Department of Veterinary Services director Dr Jairus Machakwa on Sunday told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/vet-department-destroys-10-cattle/">The Herald</a> that the illegal movement of cattle is undermining their efforts to combat January disease. He said:
<blockquote>
For any livestock to be moved, we need a veterinary movement permit which proves that the animals have been cleared by the department and that it is safe to move them to another area.
As you might know, we have declared war against January disease, but this is being deterred by those illegal movements of livestock.
Farmers should know that each cow should get a veterinary movement permit for it to be moved.
That helps us to ensure that we do not spread disease from one place to the next.
It also helps us when we are having outbreaks to quickly control the outbreak and lift any quarantines that we would have imposed for disease control.
The law will be applied in all cases where animals are moved illegally.
This loss of animals is avoidable and farmers need to comply with the Law to avoid the destruction of their animals.
</blockquote>
Theileriosis is common during the rainy season, that is, between December and March and is most prevalent in January hence the name January disease.
The disease is spread through the bite of an infected brown ear tick.

Pindula News

Vet Department Destroys 10 Cattle In Chinhoyi

The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) says seven (7) people have died of rabies so far this year.
DVS also said an average of 455 dog bites are being reported each week and only 21 per cent of these dog bites are from vaccinated dogs.
13 600 people have been bitten by dogs this year, the major route of transmission of rabies to humans.
DVS chief director Dr Josphat Nyika told <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/rabies-kills-seven-people-countrywide/">The Herald</a> that they have acquired 90 000 doses of vaccines to vaccinate dogs. He said:
<blockquote>
To date, we lost seven people. All dog owners should vaccinate their dogs since the majority are a potential danger to humans.
No one should die from dog-mediated rabies. We want to record zero deaths by 2030 from dog-mediated rabies.
In terms of the rabies vaccine, we acquired 90 000 doses from World Health Organisation (WHO) for the rabies vaccine and for the past three weeks we were on the ground vaccinating dogs in Harare.
We urge people in major cities, towns and rural areas to ensure that all dogs are vaccinated. Routine vaccinations are done to prevent outbreaks in dogs and cats.
In case of outbreaks in other domesticated animals, we do immediate rabies vaccinations of all animals in contact with the rabid animal.
</blockquote>
Rabies kills and the only treatment for humans is vaccination, which is 100 per cent effective, soon after a dog bite or other source of infection before symptoms develop.
Stray dogs, unvaccinated dogs and wild animals such as hyenas are seen as the main risks.

Rabies Kills Seven People Countrywide

The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) says it has developed a new vaccine for the deadly cattle disease, Theileriosis, also known as the January Disease.
In a statement, DVS revealed that the first batch of 20 460 doses of Theileriosis (BOLVAC) vaccine was produced on 20 August. It said:
<blockquote>
DVS has been processing Anaplasmosis and Babesiosis vaccines but had no capacity to produce Theileriosis (BOLVAC).
After receiving financial support from the government and development partners DVS managed to produce the first batch of 20 460 doses of the Theileriosis (BOLVAC) vaccine on August 20, 2022.
This is a major breakthrough because Zimbabwe can now produce vaccines against three out of four major TBD prevalent in Zimbabwe.
With such capacity, the country is now ready to roll out its Integrated Ticks and Tick-borne Disease Control Strategy.
</blockquote>
There are four major tick-borne diseases in Zimbabwe namely Anaplasmosis (Gallsickness), Babesiosis (Redwater), Theileriosis (January Disease) and Heartwater.
In an interview with NewsDay, DVS chief director Josphat Nyika said that the next step is to increase production to hundreds of thousands of doses to cater for local demand.
He added that the 20 000 doses are ready for the market and will be available at various outlets.
According to the First Round Crop and Livestock assessment conducted by the Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development ministry for the 2021/22 agricultural season, the four tick-borne diseases contribute 73% of total cattle mortalities with 18 000 cattle deaths recorded in 2021 and 64 086 cattle mortalities in 2020.
The areas worst affected by January Disease include Goromonzi, Chivhu, Bindura, Buhera, Hwedza, Gutu and Mhondoro-Ngezi among the 25 districts recording tick diseases in the country.
More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2022/08/new-vaccine-for-january-disease/">NewsDay</a>

Vet Department Develops New Vaccine For January Disease

The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) on Tuesday slaughtered 28 head of cattle and burnt the carcases in a move meant to curb the spread of Theileriosis disease popularly known as January disease.
January disease is common between December and March and is most prevalent in January hence the name January disease.
The disease is spread through the bite of the brown ear tick and the symptoms include swelling of the lymph nodes under the ears and on the shoulder, cloudiness of the eyes, difficulty in breathing, with froth from the nose and mouth.
DVS Director Jairus Machakwa confirmed the incident, saying the cattle had been illegally moved from Lancaster Farm to Lubuze Diptank, Insiza. Said Machakwa:
<blockquote>
The cattle had no Veterinary Movement Permit. Moyo contravened the provisions of Animal Health (Movement of Cattle and Pigs) Regulations, 1984.
The animals were also heavily tick-infested with the Brown ear tick and other ticks, exposing the whole community to January disease and other Tickborne diseases.
Lancaster Farm is under quarantine for Theileriosis which is decimating the national herd.
The illegal movement posed the risk of the spread of specified animal diseases against which quarantine was placed by the Veterinary Authority.
</blockquote>
Machakwa said he had the authority to order the destruction and safe disposal of the cattle. He said:
<blockquote>
By virtue of powers vested in the Director of Veterinary Services by Section 7, Subsection (3) paragraph (a) of the Animal Health Act (Chapter 19:01) and as read with Section 7, subsection (2) paragraph (a) and (b) of the said Act, the Director orders the destruction of the 28 cattle and safe disposal of the carcasses.
The Provincial Veterinary Officer for Mat South Province or his representative is hereby ordered to destroy the 28 cattle and ensure the safe disposal of carcasses. The destruction and disposal must be witnessed by Police.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/vet-services-slaughter-burn-cattle-illegally-moved-from-quarantine/">The Herald</a></h4>

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