The Zimbabwean government is taking proactive measures to safeguard the country's livestock ahead of the rainy season.
The Department of Veterinary Services is distributing vaccines to identified hotspots as part of a comprehensive integrated tick and tick-borne disease programme.
"We are vaccinating 100,000 cattle against January disease, and an additional 40,000 are receiving inoculations for babesiosis and anaplasmosis in critical areas," said Dr. Pious Makaya, Chief Director of the Department of Veterinary Services. "The vaccines for these tick-borne illnesses are being produced locally, ensuring a continuous supply and curbing potential disease surges."
Government has launched a Livestock Production and Health Summer Plan, which includes intensified control of tick-borne diseases through weekly dipping and targeted vaccinations. The national mandatory cattle dipping programme will shift from a fortnightly to a weekly schedule to better manage the tick population during wetter conditions.
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Makaya emphasized the importance of farmer cooperation, stating, "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 has invested in livestock health, rehabilitating 317 dip tanks in 2025 through partnerships with farmers. Plans are underway to rehabilitate the 4,211 existing dip infrastructures and construct new ones in areas with significant livestock populations. Additionally, 500 solar-powered boreholes will be drilled over the next five years to address perennial water challenges.
In light of public health concerns, 100,000 cattle were vaccinated against anthrax in known hotspots in 2025. Government advises farmers to independently vaccinate their livestock against blackleg, botulism, and anthrax, with vaccines readily available at veterinary retail shops nationwide.
The public is warned against consuming meat from unlicensed sources or animals that have died naturally, and urged to report all animal deaths to the nearest veterinary office to prevent the spread of diseases.
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