January disease resurfaces
The Herald
Blessings Chidakwa in Kadoma
Theileriosis, a cattle disease also known as January Disease, has resurfaced in some parts of Mashonaland West Province, killing hundreds of livestock.
The disease has left many farmers in panic mode with some selling their beasts for as little as $70 each.
The deadly disease, which is mostly common between December and March has been reported in the Mhondoro-Mubaira area, where it claimed about 100 cattle in Kwaramba Village in Ward 6 early this year.
Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement’s Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services director Dr Josphat Nyika yesterday confirmed the resurfacing of the fatal cattle disease.
“The disease being reported is January disease or theileriosis, a tick-borne disease transmitted by brown ear ticks.
“We have stepped up our dipping programme in communal areas by providing more dipping chemicals and increasing dipping intervals to weekly,” he said.