Animal quarantine imposed in Bukedea to contain FMD

Bukedea, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Bukedea district authorities have announced a livestock quarantine in Kamutur and Aminit sub-counties following the outbreak of the foot and mouth disease. The affected sub-counties border Bulambuli and Napak districts where the disease was announced earlier.

Aloysius Bukenya, the acting Bukedea District Veterinary Officer, says that the sale and movement of livestock and livestock products from the affected sub-counties are banned with immediate effect. He says the decision to impose animal quarantine is to avoid spreading the disease to other parts of the district.

“We are yet to compile data for the entire district but as of now, veterinary officers are on the ground to conduct an assessment,” said Dr. Bukenya. He said that the disease was detected in the district about three weeks ago but the authorities were still consulting with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries- MAAIF.

James Peter Adok, the Aminit sub county LC3 chairperson, says that at least five cattle have died since the disease was detected in the sub-county with more than 1,300 others infected. “The district officials came and took the samples but they delayed giving us feedback which caused more infections in the sub-county,” Adok said.

In Kamutur sub-county, Jackson Ojekede, the LCIII chairperson said about 5,000 cattle are infected in his sub-county. Bukedea district has a weekly cattle market serving over four countries including Sudan, Kenya, and Tanzania among others.

In April last year, the authorities in Bukedea district announced an animal quarantine in Kamutur sub county following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

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