OWN CORRESPONDENT, Harare | Monday
ZIMBABWE’S farm invasions and current economic slump have left the country “extremely vulnerable” to an epidemic of the deadly cattle anthrax disease, which has already killed nine people and hospitalised more than 600 since it was first detected two weeks ago.
British Airways Travel Clinic medical director Dr Andrew Jamieson singled out the invasion of commercial farms as a factor responsible for the spread of the disease, as it has allowed infected cattle to mingle in an uncontrolled manner with commercial herds.
“Additionally, the dire economic situation in the country has meant that infected cattle are being slaughtered by indigent land invaders and eaten; humans can acquire anthrax through eating infected meat,” he said.
“Making the situation worse is Zimbabwe’s foreign currency shortage, which prevents the purchase of vaccines capable of interrupting anthrax transmission.”
Anthrax was used by Iraq in its germ warfare programme in early 1990s and is capable of causing widespread epidemics. The disease, which is difficult to detect in its early stages, can kill rapidly if it not diagnosed and treated.
It can be contracted in a number of ways – by eating infected meat, skin contact with infected meat or animal parts. It can also be transmitted by airborne spores, which are also carried by flies and vultures.
The deadly disease causes a high fever and swelling of the throat and spleen.
Government health officials have launched an information campaign to inform people of the symptoms, while veterinary officials are vaccinating cattle in the region, according to state-run media.
But the Commercial Farmers’ Union (CFU) said authorities were unwilling to prevent the illegal movement of cattle out of the quarantine area.
Zimbabwe’s director of the Department of Veterinary Services Dr Wellbourne Madzima said the lack of foreign currency could delay the delivery of much needed drugs.
“The inability of Zimbabwean state veterinary services to gain access to infected cattle on invaded farms has also exacerbated the situation,” Madzima said.
“Carcasses of cattle dying from anthrax can remain infectious for perhaps as long as a hundred years unless properly disposed of, a process requiring expert supervision.”
He added that the removal of fences by land invaders on commercial farms had allowed buffalo to mix with commercial herds – also increasing the chance of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the country. – AFP
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