Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
As the rainy season approaches, the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) is distributing vaccines to identified hotspots as part of a comprehensive integrated tick and tick-borne disease programme to safeguard livestock across the nation.
The directorate’s chief director, Dr Pious Makaya, reported that 100 000 cattle are being vaccinated against January disease (Theileriosis), with an additional 40 000 receiving inoculations for babesiosis and anaplasmosis in critical areas.
“The vaccines for these tick-borne illnesses are being produced locally, ensuring a continuous supply and curbing potential disease surges,” he said.
In preparation for the 2025/2026 rainy season, the government has launched a Livestock Production and Health Summer Plan aimed at protecting and rebuilding the national herd. Key initiatives include intensified control of tick-borne diseases through weekly dipping and targeted vaccinations, proactive vaccination campaigns for diseases such as anthrax, and improvements in livestock nutrition, water access, and breeding programmes.
With rising temperatures expected to increase tick activity, the DVS is combining intensive vaccination programmes with mandatory weekly dipping to control tick-borne and other infections.
The national mandatory cattle dipping programme will shift from a fortnightly to a weekly schedule, allowing for better management of the tick population during wetter conditions.
Dr Makaya emphasised the importance of farmer cooperation.
“Farmers are expected to present their cattle for dipping on schedule and contribute to the dipping levy to maintain a steady supply of acaricide. Private livestock owners are also urged to prepare their own dipping facilities and commit to a weekly dipping schedule.”
The Government continues to invest in livestock health, having rehabilitated 317 dip tanks in 2025 through partnerships with farmers.
Plans are in place to rehabilitate the 4 211 existing dip infrastructures and construct new ones in areas with significant livestock populations.
To address perennial water challenges, the Government is earmarking the drilling of 500 solar-powered boreholes over the next five years.
Additionally, 100 000 cattle were vaccinated against anthrax in known hotspots in 2025 due to public health concerns about meat consumption from deceased animals.
Farmers are advised to independently vaccinate their livestock against blackleg, botulism, and anthrax, with vaccines readily available at veterinary retail shops nationwide.
Public health messaging has been integrated into the preparedness plan, warning against consuming meat from unlicensed sources or animals that have died naturally.
The public is instructed to report all animal deaths to the nearest veterinary office to prevent the spread of diseases, particularly anthrax.
With these proactive measures, the Government is well-prepared for the upcoming rainy season.
COMMENTS