The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Nwoya, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Livestock keepers in Nwoya are counting losses following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease-FMD in the district. This is the second outbreak in the district since 2014.
The outbreak was detected in June this year and has affected the sub-counties of Anaka, Lungulu, Purongo, and Anaka town council. Records obtained from the District Production Office indicate the disease has killed 20 calves and infected 1,000 adult cattle.
Michael Owiny, the Atwomo village community kraal chairperson in Patira parish, Purongo sub county says over 100 cattle have been discovered infected with the disease.
Owiny explained that already the district authorities have imposed stringent quarantine measures prohibiting transactions in any animal products like meat, milk or hide to curb the movement of animals in or out of Nwoya.
Dr James Okwir, the District Veterinary and Production Officer confirmed the prevalence of the highly infectious disease that attacks cloven-hoofed animals forming vesicles in, and around the mouth and on the feet.
He said after the outbreak was reported, their immediate intervention to vaccinate all the animals was hampered by lack of vaccines. He says that they have embarked on sensitization of livestock farmers to contain the spread.
The outbreak has threatened local leaders and farmers in the neighboring Amuru district. The LCV chairperson Michael Lakony said the District Executive Committee is yet to convene a meeting and devise strategies to curtail the spread of the endemic FMD.
The control of FMD in Uganda is guided by the Animal Diseases Act of 1964. It includes quarantine and ring vaccination of cattle using trivalent vaccines to enhance food security and poverty alleviation.
On July 30th, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries launched the distribution of 500,000 doses of FMD vaccine to districts hit by the disease that include Ntoroko, Nakaseke, Lwengo and Isingiro. Other districts affected are Nakasongola, Wakiso and Kiruhura.
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