Zimbabwe on high alert as foot-and-mouth disease threat grows

Zimbabwe remains on high alert over Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), as authorities warn of a growing regional threat driven by outbreaks across the Southern African Development Community (SADC), including a highly virulent strain detected in neighbouring Mozambique and Zambia. Officials say that while Zimbabwe has so far contained infections to high-risk districts along wildlife corridors, the situation remains fragile amid suspected new cases, vaccine shortages and fears the disease could spread further, threatening livestock, trade and farmer livelihoods. The concerns were raised during a livestock conference held at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre on Thursday under the themeAdvancing Livestock Value Chains for Economic Development.

Presenting on the impact of disease outbreaks and responses, Chief Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Pious Makaya, said Zimbabwe’s FMD cases remain largely confined to ecological “hotspots” near wildlife conservancies and national parks, where cattle and wild animals interact. “Almost every SADC country is affected,” he said, adding that South Africa had reported infections across all its provinces to the World Organisation for Animal Health. “Zimbabwe is in a better position because infections are mainly in Regions Four and Five along conservancies and national parks,” he said.

Despite this relative containment, Dr Makaya warned of a more dangerous strain, known as Type O, recently identified in Mozambique and Zambia. “The most concerning issue now is Type O, which is highly virulent,” he said, adding that there were fears it could spread through Zimbabwe’s eastern border. He noted that while the Zambezi River provides a natural barrier with Zambia, movement across the Mozambican border remains a higher risk.

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Dr Makaya said about 316 000 cattle are currently under FMD quarantine, preventing their participation in local, regional and international trade. “Four FMD districts, with a census of 316,000 cattle, are under quarantine and excluded from trade in live animals and their products,” he said. He added that suspected cases continue to emerge in different parts of the country, including a recent alert in Goromonzi District.

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