Staff Reporter

The Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) has announced that it is intensifying its efforts to control foot-borne diseases and other animal-related health concerns in light of the ongoing rainfall across the country.

In a recent interview with the media, DVS Director, Dr. Pios Makaya, warned livestock farmers to remain vigilant as the rainy season is expected to lead to a surge in animal diseases, including internal and external parasite infestations, foot-borne diseases, and tick-borne illnesses such as heartwater, January disease, and red water.
"In response to this, DVS is upscaling the laboratory-based surveillance of animal diseases across the country. That is why DVS has managed to decentralize the diagnostic process to the provinces, including Manicaland, Masvingo, Gwanda, Bulawayo, and Midlands. All this was done to make sure that the diagnostic process is brought closer to the farmer to enhance disease surveillance across the country, and that is very important, especially during this rainy season when there is an upsurge of different types of diseases. It is crucial to ensure that the lab-based surveillance system is accessible to farmers," said Makaya.

The DVS has also decentralized laboratory surveillance to improve the diagnosis of diseases affecting livestock, a move aimed at enhancing the capacity of provinces to respond quickly and effectively. The plan, which currently covers five provinces, is expected to expand to districts as resources allow.

"As part of the department’s ongoing efforts to control the spread of animal diseases, I advise farmers to de-worm their livestock to reduce both internal and external infestations. However, farmers should avoid de-worming animals in very poor condition, as the drugs used can be too strong for weak animals, potentially leading to their deaths," said Makaya.

Dr. Makaya noted that the DVS would ramp up veterinary public health operations, including the inspection and certification of abattoirs and milk processing plants, to curb foot-borne diseases.
“When it comes to other vector-borne diseases like trypanosomiasis, which is transmitted by the tsetse fly, the Tsetse Control department will upscale its operations in all tsetse-infested areas to ensure that the tsetse fly population is kept to a minimum,” he added.

These measures are part of a broader effort to safeguard animal health and minimize the risk of disease outbreaks during the current rainy season.