Govt mulls January disease vaccine production
TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
Government is working on a plan to manufacture its own vaccine for the deadly Theileriosis, also known as the January disease ravaging the country, it has been established.
The plan was revealed by deputy minister in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Davis Marapira during a tour of Coopers Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last week.
“The January disease vaccine is under process. I cannot tell you that we have succeeded in getting the vaccine but we are looking into it in a more serious note. What I can tell you is that we have enough chemicals which can eradicate the January disease,” Marapira said.
He added: “ As a government we have actually declared war against the January disease.”
The development comes at a time when the January disease which has left hundreds of cattle dead across the country.
It also comes at a time when the government is pushing to grow the country’s national beef herd.
The livestock growth plan, which seeks to grow the livestock sector to a US$1,9 billion economy by 2025, was approved by Cabinet in August 2020.
January disease is transmitted by ticks and is more prevalent during the rainy season. Affected animals usually collapse and die within a few days.
According to the Department of Veterinary Services, 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 Department of Veterinary Services.
Marapira said Masvingo Province has the highest number of cattle.
“From the cattle population you realize that Masvingo has the highest population followed by Matabeleland provinces and Midlands,” he said.
Government has in the past introduced a plethora of measures to fight the deadly disease including dip tank rehabilitation, and introduction of the Presidential tick grease programme, among others.
Veterinary Services’ chief director, Dr Josphat Nyika said: “Government will launch a provincial campaign against January Disease to raise awareness among farmers.The launch will be held in Binga Matabeleland North Province.”
This follows the recent launch of the national campaign in Mashonaland West and comes in the wake of hundreds of cases reported in other provinces countrywide.
A livestock chemical manufacturing firm, Shumba Group and Coopers is embarking on a programme to rehabilitate and upgrade dip tanks.
