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Pakwach, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Livestock dealers in Pakwach District are openly flouting the temporary animal quarantine imposed due to the outbreak of Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP).
Despite the quarantine encompassing Payimur sub-county, Payimur Town Council, Alwi sub-county, Pakwach sub-county, and Panyango sub-county, which was set in July this year to prevent the further spread of these respiratory diseases affecting cattle and other hoofed animals, numerous livestock dealers in the district are actively participating in the illicit sale of meat and related products.
The black market sale of animal products occurring openly raises concerns about the potential health risks to consumers, as these products are presumed dangerous for human consumption due to the ongoing outbreak.
An anonymous livestock dealer from Payimur sub-county voiced the impact the quarantine has had on their families, as their livelihoods are closely tied to livestock. “This quarantine has greatly affected our family. Buying food and other basic needs for my children has equally become a challenge,” he said.
Local authorities report that animals are being slaughtered at night and packaged in black polythene bags before being taken to market. Some dealers have resorted to a door-to-door approach for selling animal products, particularly meat.
Cosmas Masendi, a livestock farmer from Acana Village in Alwi Sub County, appealed to district authorities to reinforce quarantine enforcement and ensure livestock farmers adhere to vaccination guidelines.
Pakwach Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Paul Eseru confirmed receiving reports of widespread violation of the quarantine. Eseru expressed concern that these actions are undermining their efforts to control the outbreak. He directed veterinary officers in lower local governments to oversee compliance among livestock dealers.
Last month, the District the veterinary department initiated a mass vaccination campaign to contain the outbreak. Robert Canpara, the Pakwach District Veterinary Officer, revealed that the campaign has vaccinated 36,523 goats and 28,479 cattle across the five affected sub-counties.
Particularly noteworthy, Panyango Sub County has achieved a 55 percent vaccination rate for its estimated total goat population of 6,145, with 3,348 goats successfully vaccinated. District records indicate that the diseases caused by mycoplasmas, affecting ruminants, have led to the unfortunate loss of 26 cattle and 246 goats.
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