LIVESTOCK farmers in Chipinge are facing significant losses after a number of their cattle died from eating a poisonous plant called bracken fern at Bufflesdrift (Bond) Resettlement Area.
The situation also poses a risk to Chipinge residents as urban butcheries are buying meat from sick and dead animals.
Selling diseased meat poses severe public health risks, potentially leading to foodborne illnesses, including dangerous diseases like anthrax and foot and mouth disease, and even death.
Chipinge District Veterinary Services Department Officer, Dr Willard Chandavengerwa confirmed the development and investigations are already underway.
“We have received the report of cattle suspected of dying after consuming a bracken fern plant. More details will be provided after investigations with our superiors. As the DVS, we continue lobby to support the establishment slaughter houses, which enables inspection of meat before it is available for human consumption,” he said.
Research information shows that bracken fern is potentially poisonous to livestock as it contains a combination of two different poisons.
The type and severity of the poisoning vary greatly from place to place because the amount of each poison produced by a particular population of bracken plants is highly variable.
The first bracken poison interferes with thiamine (vitamin B1) availability in the animal, and as a result causes brain damage. This form of poisoning is usually seen in horses, pigs and occasionally in sheep. It only occurs after an animal has eaten a lot of bracken fern for several weeks.
Affected animals become unaware of their surroundings, can be seen wandering aimlessly, have an uncoordinated or staggering gait, and will eventually lie down and experience convulsions.
Chipinge Rural District Council for Ward 2, Councillor Paul Singizi said over 40 cattle have died so far this year.
“Yes, it is true, and I can confirm to you that we have had a number of cattle dying after consuming that poisonous plant in the Bond area. The affected area is a resettlement, and most of the farmers resettled there are into cattle husbandry. Our greatest fear is that more cattle might be affected if urgent action is not taken. We have since engaged the Department of Veterinary Services, who are on the ground conducting some investigations as well as helping the affected farmers. They visited the area and burnt some of the carcasses to avoid the obtaining situation where they end up being sold to unscrupulous butchery operators, putting public health at risk,” said Cllr Singizi.
Cllr Singizi expressed concern that some villagers’ lives are also at risk because they are consuming meat from the dead animals.
“Unfortunately, some villagers are eating the meat of cattle that have died after consuming the poisonous plant. Additionally, some farmers are selling sick cattle to butcheries from Chipinge urban. We urge the authorities to take immediate action to prevent the situation from affecting humans. People must be warned not to eat this meat, as it poses a serious health risk,” said Cllr Singizi, putting to the fore the need for prompt intervention to protect both human and animal health in the district.
