Farmers say attempts to control the spread of the disease have been undermined by the refusal of the police to prevent the movement of cattle onto land illegally occupied by government supporters. Supplies of vaccine are reported to have run short, heightening fears of a more severe outbreak. Since cases of anthrax began appearing in the Mhondoro communal farming area to the south west of Harare a month ago, nearly 50 cattle have died. The disease is passed to humans through contact with the animals, or eating infected meat.
Victims suffer from nausea and fever, developing sores.
In normal times Zimbabwe's relatively efficient veterinary service would be expected to control the outbreak. These, though, are far from normal times. Commercial farmers bordering the communal area say potentially infected cattle are being driven onto their land without hindrance. Problems set to increase The police, who have done little or nothing to prevent the illegal invasions of white-owned farms by government supporters throughout the country, are reluctant to become involved. The shortage of hard currency in Zimbabwe has made matters even worse, hindering efforts to buy new stocks of vaccine.