NKAYI district in Matabeleland North Province has been hit by an outbreak of anthrax.
Veterinary Department Services sources in the area said cases of the disease have been detected mainly in areas adjacent to Gokwe where the disease is a perennial problem.
The sources, however, said so far no cases of human beings affected have been reported.
“Cases of anthrax have been reported in cattle so far. We have not established whether there have been people affected after eating meat infected with anthrax bacteria. However, we would like to urge the local people not to eat meat from animals which have died on their own. Such cases should be reported to our offices as soon as they are discovered,” said a veterinary services source in the area.
The official, who refused to be named, said the department is currently experiencing acute shortages of vaccines for the vaccination of the cattle where there is an outbreak.
“We need enough foreign currency to procure anthrax vaccines from Botswana. The government recently procured some vaccines from China, but all the stocks have run out,” added the official who refused to be named for fear of victimization.
The shortage of vaccines has resulted in the deaths of many cattle in Masvingo, Midlands and Matabeleland provinces, stifling the nation’s efforts to replenish its national herd decimated by the successive draughts.
The disease is caused by a bacterial infection from infected animals especially cattle .
The disease can also be contracted through handling, inhaling or eating the contaminated meat.
Efforts to get a comment from the Director of the Veterinary Services, Dr Stuart Huggrives were all in vain at the time of going to press.
