FAO, DVS ink vaccine deal

TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO 

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has signed a landmark deal with the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) to manufacture a vaccine for the January disease which has claimed thousands of cattle succumbing to the disease across the countrywide.

January disease, also known as Theileriosis, is transmitted by ticks and is more prevalent during the rainy season. Affected animals usually collapse and die within a few days.

In an interview at the sidelines of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair 2023, FAO assistant programmes representative Constance Pepukai said the project was funded by the European Union and focuses on transforming the animal health delivery service.

“One of the key results that I would like to highlight under this project is the production of the Theileriosis vaccine.  January disease is the common disease that affects livestock. The country has lost thousands of cattle due to January disease,” she said.

According to the DVS, tick-borne diseases are responsible for about 60% of annual losses in livestock.

January disease is a notifiable disease in Zimbabwe and when farmers suspect its presence, they are compelled by the law to make a report to the DVS.

Pepukai said thousands of doses have been produced so far.

“With funding from the EU we have managed to support and work together with DVS to produce the vaccine against the disease.

“But the approach that we are using is that the vaccine is being produced by the DVS they are the mandated authority on animal health delivery in Zimbabwe,” she said.

Recently, livestock farmers in Insiza District were attributing the rampant illegal movement of livestock infested with ticks for the spread of the January disease, which has crippled them.

Pepukai said DVS was responsible for distributing the vaccine and the parties were working to ensure “the capacity within the department is enhanced to produce the vaccine”.

“So the vaccine will be made available through the department and across the different departments of animal health services which are managed by the DVS,” she said.