THE Department of Veterinary Services says it has vaccinated over 28 000 cattle in the Midlands Province to curb the spread of the deadly foot and mouth disease, which has hit parts of Gokwe since last month.

By Simon Phiri

The vaccination programme has seen 18 000 cattle being vaccinated in Gweru alone despite that there are no reported cases in the area.

The development comes amid fears that the foot and mouth disease outbreak that claimed hundreds of cattle in Gokwe could spread to other areas in the province, paralysing the local beef market.

A Midlands provincial veterinary officer Thomas Sibanda said the vaccination drive would bring the outbreak under control.

“We have vaccinated more than 28 000 cattle across the province particularly in Mvuma, Gokwe, and Gweru,” he said.

“The move is a strict follow up to the recent outbreak that hit parts of Gokwe claiming several beasts and of course paralysing the local beef market.”

He said the disease was now under control, adding the outbreak would not affect the local beef market.

“In areas where we have vaccinated, cattle are being sold for direct slaughter,” he said.

“The recent outbreak cannot have any negative impact on the beef trade market since we managed to contain the disease successfully; we have all the required vaccines in huge quantities such that we rolled out the programme to various parts of the province.”

However, Sibanda warned against illegal movement of cattle from affected areas.