Foot-and-mouth disease wreaks havoc in Mash Central

FOOT-and-mouth disease has wreaked havoc in Mashonaland Central province's eight districts after an outbreak, suspected to have originated in Mozambique, was recorded in June.

Provincial veterinary officer Wiltmot Chikurunhe said Rushinga and Muzarabani districts were the worst affected.

"The province's eight districts are affected by foot-and-mouth. It entered Zimbabwe on June 25 this year from Mozambique and places close to Mozambique, that is Rushinga and Muzarabani are the most affected," Chikurunhe said.

The department has placed all districts under quarantine and stopped the movement of livestock due to the outbreak of foot and mouth.

"We have quarantined all the districts, hence there is no movement of cattle, sheep or pigs in and out of Mashonaland Central," he said.

Farmers in Muzarabani expressed dismay over the outbreak, saying their lives were now tougher as they relied on livestock sales.

"This outbreak is going to make our lives very difficult as we rely on farming here in Muzarabani. So it's our hope that the Vet Department will rectify the problem as early as possible," lamented Jimmy Suoguru.

Chikurunhe urged farmers to visit their nearest veterinary offices to get assistance and avoid movement of livestock until the outbreak was contained.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police is assisting in enforcing the quarantine in the province and has since mounted three roadblocks on major roads in Centenary, Rushinga and Bindura.