The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
THE Department of Veterinary Services (DVS), in conjunction with development partners, has produced more than 20 000 vaccines to fight theileriosis (January Disease), as the Government intensifies efforts to control the cattle disease.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Online DVS chief director, Dr Josphat Nyika, said production of the vaccines is a milestone.
“After receiving financial support from Government and development partners, DVS managed to commercially produce the first batch of 20 460 doses of Theileriosis (BOLVAC) vaccine on August 20, 2022.
“This is a breakthrough because Zimbabwe can now produce vaccines against three out of four major tick-borne diseases prevalent in the country, except for Heartwater. “Efforts are being made to have all vaccines manufactured locally,” he said.
The four major tick-borne diseases in Zimbabwe are January Disease, Anaplasmosis (Gallsickness), Babesiosis (Redwater) and Heartwater.
Dr Nyika said the country is now ready to roll out its Integrated Ticks and Tick-borne Disease Control Strategy (ITTBDCS), which also includes dipping and resistance monitoring.
“As you can see, 20 000 is not much. For now, it will be used in January Disease hotspots.
“The major task ahead is to upscale production to millions of doses to deal with the January Disease outbreaks,” he said.
“This vaccine, like the Presidential Blitz Tick Grease Programme, will complement the compulsory intensive dipping programme, and it will be free of charge.”
