Zimbabwe"s Veterinary Services Department has said the anthrax outbreak that hit two of the country"s districts is now under control, Xinhua reported. The announcement followed increased vaccinations that have seen the inoculation of more than 1,100 cattle in Seke since last week. The anthrax outbreak hit Seke and Selous farming areas recently killing one person and 25 cattle. However, the situation in the two areas is now under control in Seke and the vaccination has now moved to Selous and Mhondoro. Department of Veterinary Services deputy director field services Dr. Chenjerai Njagu said the exercise covered three dip tanks and two farms in Seke and was moving to other affected areas in Selous and Mhondoro. "We have finished vaccination of animals in the Seke area and have moved to Selous commercial farming area," he said. "Today we expect to start vaccinations in Mhondoro communal area where we expect to vaccinate 100,000 animals," he added. Dr. Njagu said the department had been forced to withdraw the only vehicle that was in Karoi district to service Chegutu and Selous area. Shortage of vehicles has impeded monitoring and disease surveillance exercises. "Under normal circumstances the department is supposed to carry routine farm inspections meant to alert farmers and pick diseases outbreak before they get out of hand. Because of transport shortages we have been forced to ask our farmers to provide transport for our officers to and from the farms," said Dr. Njagu. He said the disease outbreaks had not been reported early when they occurred in communal areas and some farms. The department has also targeted to vaccinate cattle in all areas that could not be vaccinated in the country, as the department ran out of stock. Anthrax is a soil-borne disease that is endemic in Zimbabwe. It is normally recorded during the rainy season when sprouting grass brings out the bacteria from the soil.
