Zimbabwe is grappling with a severe outbreak of theileriosis, or 'January disease', a tick-borne disease that has decimated the country's cattle population, causing a significant impact on livelihoods and agricultural productivity. The disease, spread by the brown tick, has been exacerbated by climate change, leading to unpredictable tick populations and disease patterns. Despite efforts to control the disease through dipping programs and the testing of vaccines, the outbreak has been severe, prompting the government to declare a war on the disease in 2023.
The article highlights the need for more research into the disease and its dynamics, as well as the effective local responses and innovations of livestock keepers in treating the disease. It emphasizes the importance of an engaged, participatory research approach that takes into account local understandings of tick ecology, livestock disease patterns, and disease treatments to develop a more effective veterinary response. The article also critiques the reliance on technology and vaccines as a panacea, arguing for a more holistic approach that incorporates local knowledge and practices.