HARARE,  -- An outbreak of foot and mouth disease has been reported in the southern Beitbridge District of Zimbabwe amid suspicion that the disease could have originated from 25 buffaloes that strayed from nearby South Africa's Kruger National Park.

According to veterinary officials, the buffaloes are suspected to have had contact with cattle in Zimbabwe's Tshikwalakwala area this year, resulting in the spread of the disease in other areas of the district through cattle sales.

The Herald on Monday quoted a senior veterinary officer in the area confirming the outbreak, adding they started dealing with the problem a fortnight ago at a local cattle auction.

"Preliminary investigations reveal that the disease spread across Beitbridge east after stray buffaloes from South Africa mixed with herds of cattle," the official said.

"It then spread to other areas during cattle sales. We have started vaccinations and we have enough manpower to carry out the task."

The official added that the whole district had been quarantined until the situation gets back to normal.

Foot and mouth is an endemic disease in Zimbabwe, and is given as the reason why the country stopped lucrative beef exports to the European Union after a series of outbreaks a few years ago.

Zimbabwe has a sizeable herd of cattle estimated at 5.2 million. Cattle remain a source of wealth for both small holders and commercial farmers in the country.

By Staff reporter and agencies