DIVISION OF VETERINARY SERVICES
Weekly Highlights
Week ending
23 February, 2018
1. STATE OF ANIMAL HEALTH
Major disease problems for the week were FMD, tick borne diseases particularly theileriosis and rabies. Other endemic diseases remained under control. The major problem contributing to continued occurrence of FMD is illegal movement of livestock from infected to clean areas. DVS staff and police are on high alert to detect and report illegal movements to the director. Stakeholders are being reminded illegally moved livestock will be immediately destroyed on site to avoid further spread of the disease. On the other hand increase in tick borne diseases occurrence is being attributed to the increased rainfall and shortage of dip chemicals on the market. Rabies increase in has been attributed to increase in the number of stray dogs especially in urban and periurban areas as well as to failure by owners to have their dogs vaccinated. DVS is working together with local authorities and ministry of health to find a lasting solution to the rabies problem.
1.1. Foot and mouth disease (FMD)
Manicaland
The province remain free from FMD except for a small areas Chipinge where FMD cases have been reported in the past week.
Chipinge outbreak
There was a flare up of FMD outbreak at in Chipinge district, Musirizwi area. It is suspected this was spill over of infection from the last outbreak in the Daisy Hill area reported in August last year. Cases were detected at only six households that dip at Musirizwi dip tank. The area has been placed under quarantine. Vaccinations that were scheduled this week have not yet started because the area is inaccessible due to incessant rain in the area. A total of 11 131 cattle at 19 dip tanks have been placed under quarantine and are earmarked for vaccination.
Mashonaland West-
The province remains relatively clean except the one outbreak reported in Chegutu in January.
Chegutu Outbreak
The outbreak in Chegutu is now considered under control as no new cases have been detected following the destruction of infected animals at the outbreak farm last two weeks ago. The area remains under quarantine as inspections continue. The second round of vaccinations in and around the infected area have been completed.
Mashonaland East
Selected properties in and around outbreak areas are under quarantine. Details of the exact properties can be obtained from the provincial office.
Marondera outbreak
The outbreak reported in the area is now considered under control as no cases have been detected besides those that were brought in from the Mt Hampden sale which have since been slaughtered. The area remains in quarantine as DVS continue to monitor the situation.
Macheke Outbreak
FMD infection in the affected areas still remains confined to two dip tanks as DVS personnel on the ground continue to enforce moment controls. Vaccinations were also scheduled for this week but failed to start due to rain.
Masvingo province
All districts in Masvingo district have been affected by FMD in the last six months as DVS staff on the ground continue to report pockets of infection dotted all over the province. All dip tanks and farms with active cases have been placed under total quarantine while those that have not been affected or where outbreaks have been resolved are only allowed to move animals for direct slaughter. Animals are only allowed to go for direct slaughter at designated abattoirs where there is presence of Veterinary Public Health personnel.
Midlands Province
FMD outbreaks in the province are now confined isolated pockets in two districts in the southern part of the province.
Shurugwi district reported 43 cases from two dip tanks as the disease spread northwards, while Chirumhanzu district reported 24 cases from one dip tank. The two districts are scheduled for vaccinations from 26 February 2018.
1.2. Highly pathogenic avian influenza
The outbreak which affected one commerial breeding farm in harare South last year has been officailly declared resolved and the affected farm has bveen given the green light proceed with repopulating the farm with new stock. DVS is however continueing its surveuillance activities targeting bird market, large commercial production units and areas around large water bodies where there are populations of wild waterfowl. Manicaland province inspected 24 markets with 4387 birds and no sick birds were seen.
1.3. Rabies
Six cases were reported in Midlands province with samples collected from 3 of them, whilst the other three were stray dogs. Another 7 suspected cases were reported in Masvingo province. The Division has procured vaccine for the first quarter of the year which has since been issued to provinces.
1.4. Tick-borne diseases
The problem of increased incidence of Theileriosis is continuing in many parts of the country. Mashonaland Central reported 12 cases including 8 deaths, Mashonaland East, 83 cases including 58 deaths, Mashonaland West, 45 cases including 29 deaths, Masvingo, 21 cases including 12 deaths and Manicaland 3 cases including 1 death.Other tick-borne diseases reported were babesiosis (64 cases), anaplasmosis (120) and heartwater (57). These reported cases are suspected to be gross underestimation of the real situation on the ground as a lot of farmers do not report cases to DVS staff on the ground
The acaricide supply situation remains grave as most provinces have reverted to monthly dipping or fortnightly instead of the desired weekly intervals for the rainy season. Some acaricide was moved from Matabeleland North to Mashonaland East, West and Central provinces to alleviate critical shortages there.
Dr. J. Nyika
Director
Division of Veterinary Services