An outbreak of the cattle disease anthrax has left nine people dead since the first cases were reported two weeks ago, Zimbabwe farming officials said Saturday.
More than 600 people have been treated for symptoms of the disease, which is found in cattle and sheep but which can spread to humans, the Commercial Farmers' Union (CFU) said in a statement.
The deadly disease causes a high fever and swelling of the throat and spleen.
The outbreak was first reported two weeks ago in villages about 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Harare.
Government health officials have launched an information campaign to inform people of the symptoms, while veterinary officials are vaccinating cattle in the region, according to state-run media.
But the CFU said authorities were unwilling to prevent the illegal movement of cattle out of the quarantine area.
Commercial farmers and the government have been at loggerheads all year over a controversial scheme to seize white-owned farms for resettlement with landless black families.
The government has backed self-styled veterans of Zimbabwe's liberation war who have occupied more than 1,600 white-owned farms since February, claiming to be protesting for speedier resettlement.
But at least 36 people have died in political violence linked with the farm invasions, while thousands of others have been beaten or otherwise intimidated.
Despite repeated court orders in favor of the farmers, the government has refused to evict the squatters -- HARARE (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
