Fresh outbreak of foot and mouth disease reported in Nakasongola

Nakasongola, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Nakasongola district has registered a fresh outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease-FMD.

The outbreak has been reported in two farms in Kakooge town council in Nakasongola town. At least 7,000 heads of cattle are estimated to be kept in Kakooge town council.

The Nakasongola District Veterinary Officer Dr Sam Eswaggu says that the movement of animals and sale of their products in Kakooge town council has been restricted as they monitor the spread of the disease.

Eswaggu adds that they are also encouraging pastoralists to vaccinate their animals using trusted private veterinary officers since the district lacks vaccines for the exercise.

Richard Ssemayaza, the LC III chairperson of Kakooge town council says the restrictions have affected local revenue and household incomes since they depend on animal products for survival.

“Right now all meat stalls are closed and butchers are out of work. Some hotel owners have resorted to buying meat from distant meat stalls in Luwero town council to stay in business” Ssemayaza said.

From 2017 to 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture imposed a quarantine on sub-counties of Nabiswera, Nakitoma, and Migyera town in Nakasongola after they were hit by Foot and Mouth disease.

It is estimated that the district lost over 250 million Shillings in local revenue over Foot and Mouth Disease outbreaks in 2017.

The district also suffered revenue losses after President Yoweri Museveni banned the livestock markets to stop the spread of COVID-19 last year.

Both the quarantines have left pastoralists and dealers in animal products crying foul.

There are over 269,000 heads of cattle in Nakasongola according to the district veterinary office.

FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that affects cattle, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.

******

URN