Kiruhura district sets new guidelines to curb spread of foot and mouth disease

Kiruhura, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Kiruhura district foot and mouth disease taskforce has issued a set of new guidelines to curb the spread of the disease.

Kiruhura has been under total quarantine and ban since the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in December last year. This was done to curtail the spread of the disease across the entire district.

Dan Mukago, the LC V chairperson Kiruhura says that if the farmers and traders adhere to the guidelines, the ban will be lifted.

Some of the guidelines include; cattle markets to remain closed but selling and buying of livestock is allowed at farms, farms willing to sell will be only allowed if they have disinfectant points and spray pumps for both humans and trucks, movement of livestock for breeding is prohibited, veterinary officers to only allow transporting of cattle for slaughter from non-affected farms among others.

Mukago says that the guidelines don’t apply to Kinoni sub county and Rushere town council but to only apply to farms in villages without FMD.

Dr Grace Asiimwe, Kiruhura District Veterinary Officer says the reason they agreed to sell livestock at the farms is to curtail the spread of FMD which could spread.

Perez Mastiko Mujwan,i a cattle farmer and trader in Keshunga says they will sensitize the new guidelines to livestock farmers. He also says selling cattle at farms will also help fight cattle theft.

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