-as 258 succumb to January disease
Faith Ndou
GUTU-At least 258 cattle deaths linked to Theileriosis have been recorded in Gutu between January and mid-February as the tick-borne disease continues to ravage herds across the district due to lack of dipping chemicals.
According to a report presented to the Rural Development Committee by District Veterinary Officer Dr Tinovonga Mufukari, the district has recorded 4 364 cases of Theileriosis since November. Of these, 1 016 cases were recorded between January and mid-February resulting in 258 deaths during that period alone.
The district herd currently stands at 146 649 cattle.
Dr Mufukari said the department has intensified awareness and educational campaigns through extension officers in various wards, urging farmers to adhere to regular dipping schedules.
“Dipping is being carried out fortnightly at all 147 dip tanks in the district. However, due to inadequate dipping chemicals and non-adherence by some farmers, only 34 127 cattle which is 16 percent of the district population, have been dipped,” he said.
Farmers are counting losses daily following the resurgence of Theileriosis, commonly known as January disease, which re-emerged soon after the onset of the rains in November last year.
The disease previously left a devastating trail between 2021 and 2022, significantly depleting the district’s herd.
The report noted that stocks of Acaricide, the chemical used for dipping are running low and require urgent replenishment.
Theileriosis is incurable and can only be prevented through consistent dipping. While some farmers have managed to salvage infected cattle using a combination of conventional livestock medicines and traditional herbs, others have lost most or all of their herds.
Farmers from across the district said they initially recorded deaths when the rains began but did not immediately suspect January disease.
“We started seeing cattle dying in November but we did not think it was Theileriosis again,” said one farmer.
“Now some households have lost almost everything.”
Some of the diptanks which recorded high cases and deaths are resettlement areas where the disease killed a lot of cattle.
Delose recorded 21 cases and six deaths while Bath had 15 cases and six deaths.
Communal areas have also been affected. Chepiti recorded 13 cases and deaths, Mundezha eight cases and deaths, Ndawi 15 cases and eight deaths and Magombedze seven cases and deaths, among others.
Other livestock diseases reported in the district though with fewer cases include Babesiosis, Anaplasmosis and Lumpy Skin Disease.
With dipping chemicals dwindling and losses mounting, farmers are appealing for urgent intervention to contain the outbreak before it further decimates Gutu’s cattle population.
