Courage Dutiro
More
than 300 cattle in Gutu have succumbed to
a tick borne disease known as theiloriosis or January disease, the Masvingo
provincial veterinary office has said.
than 300 cattle in Gutu have succumbed to
a tick borne disease known as theiloriosis or January disease, the Masvingo
provincial veterinary office has said.
Theileriosis
refers to diseases caused by theileria, which are very small parasites called protozoa.
Different species of theileria cause different diseases in animals, but the two
of most concern are corridor disease and turning sickness.
refers to diseases caused by theileria, which are very small parasites called protozoa.
Different species of theileria cause different diseases in animals, but the two
of most concern are corridor disease and turning sickness.
Provincial
veterinary officer, Enerst Dzimwasha, revealed that the disease has taken a
huge toll on villagers’ cattle in the rural Gutu and so far a total over 300
cattle have been reported to have died in a short space of time.
veterinary officer, Enerst Dzimwasha, revealed that the disease has taken a
huge toll on villagers’ cattle in the rural Gutu and so far a total over 300
cattle have been reported to have died in a short space of time.
“We
have received reports from Gutu that Theileriosis has killed about 300 cattle
in Chatsworth and in some other parts of Gutu. We think the number is bigger
than the recorded deaths as some of the death cases are not being reported by
farmers to the veterinary department.
have received reports from Gutu that Theileriosis has killed about 300 cattle
in Chatsworth and in some other parts of Gutu. We think the number is bigger
than the recorded deaths as some of the death cases are not being reported by
farmers to the veterinary department.
“The
disease is transmitted by ticks and symptoms of the disease include,
depression, weakness and difficulty in breathing for the animal. The affected
animal dies within a few days,” said Dzimwasha.
disease is transmitted by ticks and symptoms of the disease include,
depression, weakness and difficulty in breathing for the animal. The affected
animal dies within a few days,” said Dzimwasha.
TellZim
News learnt that the government is failing to provide dipping chemicals to the
veterinary department and Dzimwasha has called on farmers not to wait for the
government but to sacrifice
and buy their own chemicals to dip their cattle.
News learnt that the government is failing to provide dipping chemicals to the
veterinary department and Dzimwasha has called on farmers not to wait for the
government but to sacrifice
and buy their own chemicals to dip their cattle.
Dzimwashe
pointed out that the province has about 700 dip tanks and is facing a serious
shortage of dipping chemicals in the province.
pointed out that the province has about 700 dip tanks and is facing a serious
shortage of dipping chemicals in the province.
“It
is difficult for the department to control and limit the spread of the disease
since there is no longer regular dipping of cattle in the province due to the
shortage of the chemicals. During the rainy season cattle are supposed to be
dipped regularly so as to break the cycle of ticks,” said Dzimwasha.
is difficult for the department to control and limit the spread of the disease
since there is no longer regular dipping of cattle in the province due to the
shortage of the chemicals. During the rainy season cattle are supposed to be
dipped regularly so as to break the cycle of ticks,” said Dzimwasha.
It
has been learnt that farmers pay a dipping fee of $2 per animal per year but
the government is failing to provide the dipping chemical which farmers are
paying for.
has been learnt that farmers pay a dipping fee of $2 per animal per year but
the government is failing to provide the dipping chemical which farmers are
paying for.
