Govt has no resources to fight foot and mouth outbreak

GOVERNMENT has no money to fight the outbreak of the deadly foot and mouth disease which broke out in Zvishavane last November, a senior veterinary officer has said.

Midlands provincial veterinary officer, Dr Thomas Sibanda told Masvingo Mirror that it was difficult to contain the outbreak because currently the Government did not have the necessary resources.

"Foot and mouth outbreak in Zvishavane started sometime last year but the Government is failing to contain the outbreak because of lack of resources in the department to treat the disease," said Sibanda

According to the publication,  farmers  have expressed anxiety over the situation and urged the Government to appeal to farmers to mobilize resources to fight the outbreak.

"The virus does not kill the cattle immediately but this is a worrisome disease. We want to urge Government to come to our different dip tanks and mobilize farmers to contribute money towards the procurement of the necessary drugs," said one villager is quoted saying.

It is thought that the virus came from Mwenezi after one farmer in Mberengwa brought beasts from there. Foot and mouth spreads through water and air.

Foot and mouth virus only affects animals with horns. It affects the tongue and stops cattle from grazing resulting in them starving to death.

Human beings are affected by foot and mouth if they eat contaminated meat and there are fears that this could be happening because some butcheries are selling uninspected meat.