News / National
Anthrax kills 15 cattle, spreads to humans
08 Dec 2013 at 03:30hrs | Views
More than 15 cattle died in Karoi last week in an anthrax outbreak amid fears the disease might have spread to humans who consumed the meat.
Although no official confirmation could be immediately obtained, villagers in the affected area claimed several individuals are suspected to have contracted the deadly disease.
One of the farmers who lost livestock, Mr Lincoln Nyamidzi, said villagers reported the case to the Veterinary Services Department in the district. He said officials from the department confirmed the disease when they visited the affected zones.
"Over 15 cattle have died. Even people have contracted the disease since some ate the meat after the cattle died.
"We reported the matter to Karoi Veterinary Services, who, in turn, came with vaccines at a cost of US$1 per animal. However, because of the cost, some cattle were not vaccinated and the disease is still spreading in the area."
Veterinary Services Department director Dr Josphat Nyika said his office was yet to receive the reports.
"I have not received the report yet and the information has also not reached our Mashonaland West provincial offices," he said.
"However, members of the public should know that the Veterinary Services Department does not charge for anthrax vaccines since it is funded by Government. Whenever members of the public are asked to do so, they should question and report the matter."
Dr Nyika said anthrax was mostly prevalent in the rainy season and usually affected cattle in the summer. Anthrax is a life-threatening infectious disease that affects animals, especially ruminants such as goats, cattle, sheep, and horses. It can also be transmitted to humans by consumption of the meat of an infected animal or their products. It is believed it does not spread from person to person.
In many parts of Zimbabwe, anthrax spores are remnants of racist Rhodesia's biological warfare on black guerillas and communities.
Although no official confirmation could be immediately obtained, villagers in the affected area claimed several individuals are suspected to have contracted the deadly disease.
One of the farmers who lost livestock, Mr Lincoln Nyamidzi, said villagers reported the case to the Veterinary Services Department in the district. He said officials from the department confirmed the disease when they visited the affected zones.
"Over 15 cattle have died. Even people have contracted the disease since some ate the meat after the cattle died.
"We reported the matter to Karoi Veterinary Services, who, in turn, came with vaccines at a cost of US$1 per animal. However, because of the cost, some cattle were not vaccinated and the disease is still spreading in the area."
"I have not received the report yet and the information has also not reached our Mashonaland West provincial offices," he said.
"However, members of the public should know that the Veterinary Services Department does not charge for anthrax vaccines since it is funded by Government. Whenever members of the public are asked to do so, they should question and report the matter."
Dr Nyika said anthrax was mostly prevalent in the rainy season and usually affected cattle in the summer. Anthrax is a life-threatening infectious disease that affects animals, especially ruminants such as goats, cattle, sheep, and horses. It can also be transmitted to humans by consumption of the meat of an infected animal or their products. It is believed it does not spread from person to person.
In many parts of Zimbabwe, anthrax spores are remnants of racist Rhodesia's biological warfare on black guerillas and communities.
Source - sundaymail
