Nationwide Livestock Dipping Programme Restored With Acaricides Reaching Every Province
As Zimbabwe enters the peak of its rainy season, the government has successfully restored the national livestock dipping programme, ensuring acaricides are now available throughout all provinces. This vital development is set to sharply reduce the prevalence of devastating tick-borne diseases, protecting livestock and boosting productivity for farmers across the country.
Rainfall creates ideal conditions for ticks to thrive, posing a significant threat to cattle and other livestock. These ticks transmit diseases, including theileriosis (also known as January disease), heartwater, anaplasmosis (commonly called gallsickness), and babesiosis (redwater), all of which can cause serious economic losses and threaten the nation’s food security. Restoring access to acaricides strengthens Zimbabwe’s Integrated Tick and Tick-Borne Disease Control Programme, which focuses on vector control as a key element of disease management.
**What are acaricides?**
*Acaricides are chemical agents used to kill ticks and mites on livestock. By controlling these parasites, acaricides help prevent the spread of tick-borne diseases and protect animal health.*
Chief Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Pious Makaya, emphasised the importance of dipping as the foundational method of tick control. “Dipping is the cornerstone of tick control, especially during the rainy season when tick populations explode. With acaricides now reaching every province, farmers can protect their herds more effectively than ever before,” he stated.
Dipping involves immersing cattle in a bath filled with acaricide solution, which kills ticks attached to the animals. This method, when implemented consistently, can significantly reduce tick infestations and associated disease outbreaks. Dr Makaya explained that alongside dipping, targeted vaccination programmes are deployed when disease incursions occur, offering farmers a multi-pronged defence to reduce livestock mortalities by up to 80 percent.
Farmers and dip attendants must ensure proper preparation of dip-wash according to supplier guidelines. “Correct mixing is essential to ensure maximum efficacy and to prevent the development of acaricide resistance,” Dr Makaya advised. The responsible and safe use of acaricides safeguards both livestock and the environment, and supports sustainable agricultural practices.
The Veterinary Extension services are also advising farmers to remain alert for other production-limiting diseases that increase during the wet season. Conditions such as mastitis and scours in calves, as well as internal parasites, require regular monitoring and treatment to maintain herd health and productivity.
Beyond tick-borne diseases, Zimbabwe continues to monitor other significant transboundary and zoonotic threats. These include foot-and-mouth disease, Newcastle disease, and notably rabies, which poses public health risks especially in urban areas and in communities near wildlife conservancies. Jackals, acting as rabies reservoirs, underline the need for ongoing vaccination campaigns to protect humans and animals alike.
Encouragingly, Zimbabwean farmers are increasingly trusting vaccines as part of integrated animal health management. This season alone, over 115,000 cattle have been vaccinated using the Borovac vaccine, a key tool against tick-borne diseases. Efforts are underway to expand local vaccine production to meet national demand, especially to complement dipping when access may be limited.
A case study from Mashonaland East province illustrates the positive impact of restored dipping services. Farmer Ms Tendai Moyo from Murehwa reported a notable decline in tick infestations and improved calf survival rates since consistent dipping resumed. “Before, we lost many calves to tick-borne diseases every rainy season, but now with the acaricides available and vaccinations, our herd is stronger and more productive,” she shared.
This initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which emphasises boosting agricultural productivity and safeguarding rural livelihoods, with particular benefits for women and youth involved in livestock farming. Ensuring acaricide availability supports inclusive growth and resilience within the agricultural sector.
In conclusion, with acaricides fully restored nationwide and an integrated approach combining dipping and vaccination firmly in place, Zimbabwe is well positioned to protect its livestock during the challenging rainy season. This renewed commitment heralds a brighter and healthier future for farmers, rural communities, and the national economy.
As Dr Makaya aptly concluded, “With acaricides now fully accessible and our integrated approach in place, the outlook for livestock health this season has never been brighter.”
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