Masvingo (New Ziana) – An outbreak of theoriolisis, commonly known as January disease, has claimed over 500 cattle in Masvingo province since the beginning of the year, a senior veterinary official has said.

Acting provincial veterinary services department director, Kudakwashe Makwengudze said the tick-borne disease had so far affected over 1 000 cattle in five districts in the province, namely Masvingo, Gutu, Chivi, Bikita and Zaka.

“As a way of preventing the spread of diseases among cattle, as vet department we are doing awareness campaigns in all districts in the province,” he said.

Makwengudze said that his department had enough dipping and other anti-tick chemicals to cover the province to grapple with the outbreak.

Two years ago, a nationwide outbreak of January disease killed tens of thousands of cattle, a loss which was more keenly felt in the rural areas.

New Ziana