Zimbabwe Strengthens Fight Against Tick-Borne Diseases to Boost Livestock Health
As the wet season swells across Zimbabwe, the government is intensifying efforts to curb the persistent threat of tick-borne diseases that jeopardise the national herd’s health and productivity. Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement, Davis Marapira, recently toured Coopers Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo factory to assess the company’s capacity to supply essential animal health products. This visit underlines the government’s commitment to sustaining a robust emergency nationwide dipping programme designed to safeguard livestock from devastating infestations.
Coopers Zimbabwe, a cornerstone in the supply chain for provinces such as Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland South, and Matabeleland North, showcased its stock levels and readiness to meet increased national demand for acaricides—the chemical agents vital for controlling ticks. These efforts play a pivotal role in averting outbreaks of diseases like Theileriosis, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis, which can cripple animal health and the livelihoods of Zimbabwe’s farmers.
FFA Explainer:
Acaricides are pesticides specifically formulated to kill ticks and mites. They are critical in managing tick-borne diseases in cattle, which include ailments such as Babesiosis (Texas fever), Theileriosis (East Coast fever), and Anaplasmosis.
The significance of these interventions is embedded in Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy Two (NDS2), which prioritises the growth of the national herd. By enhancing livestock health, the strategy aims to strengthen nutrition security, stimulate rural economies, and deliver sustainable livelihoods for farmers nationwide. Controlling tick-borne illnesses is central to this vision as these diseases negatively impact milk production, weight gain, and animal mortality rates.
In 2025 alone, vaccination campaigns inoculated more than 60 000 communal cattle against Theileriosis in high-risk hotspots, alongside immunising 40 000 animals against Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis. These proactive measures highlight government vigilance and the blend of science, policy, and practical farming.
FFA Explainer:
Theileriosis is a tick-borne disease caused by the parasite Theileria parva, leading to high fever, swollen lymph nodes, and often mortality in untreated cattle. Babesiosis and Anaplasmosis are similar parasitic infections, transmitted by ticks, that cause anaemia, fever, and lethargy.
To reinforce the dipping programme—the frontline defence against ticks—the government is investing in infrastructure by rehabilitating 200 dipping tanks and constructing 40 new ones, while drilling boreholes to ensure reliable water sources. These facilities enable communal farmers to regularly immerse their cattle in acaricide solutions, dramatically reducing tick infestations.
Moreover, veterinary extension officers stationed at ward level provide technical guidance, champion disease surveillance, and facilitate rapid response to outbreaks. This grassroots engagement empowers farmers with knowledge and resources, especially women and youth, who are vital agents in community-based livestock management.
Government support has proven vital for farmers like Rudo Chikomba from Mwenezi District in Masvingo Province, who credited the rehabilitation of a local dip tank with saving her cattle last season. “Before the tank was rehabilitated, my herd suffered repeated tick infections, and I was losing calves. Now, with the regular dipping sessions and veterinary advice, I see stronger, healthier animals, and my income has improved,” she shares.
Yet, tick-borne diseases are only part of the broader challenge. Diseases like foot-and-mouth disease also pose a threat, disrupting the livestock sector with outbreaks that can decimate herds and strain rural economies. The government’s strategic investment in vaccination, infrastructure, and farmer education forms a comprehensive shield that safeguards animal health and uplifts livelihoods.
The ongoing commitment to these control programmes aligns with Zimbabwe’s goals to enhance food security, reduce poverty, and build resilient rural communities. By fostering partnerships with private sector players like Coopers Zimbabwe and leveraging scientific advances in veterinary medicine, Zimbabwe is paving the way for a future where farmers and their livestock thrive hand-in-hand.
This holistic approach not only secures immediate animal health but also positions Zimbabwe’s livestock industry for sustainable growth. As the country navigates challenges posed by climate variability and economic pressures, sustained vigilance and innovation in disease control remain non-negotiable pillars of agricultural success.
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