Nwoya district to vaccinate 5,000 cattle against FMD

Nwoya, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Nwoya district veterinary department is undertaking the mass vaccination of cattle against the endemic Foot and Mouth Disease-FMD. The highly infectious cloven-hoofed animal disease broke out in the district in June this year, seven years since the first outbreak was reported there in 2014.

The disease has killed more than 20 calves and affected more than 1,000 adult cattle. Dr. James Okwir, the Nwoya District Veterinary Officer says they launched the vaccination exercise on Thursday in Got-Ngur village in Purongo sub county. At least 500 cattle had been vaccinated by the second day of the exercise, which moved to Lawora and Tangi villages still in Purongo.

Dr. Okwir disclosed that they are targeting to vaccinate up to 5,000 cattle. The exercise will resume today in Anaka town council, Anaka and Lungulu sub counties where the disease is prevalent.

Geoffrey Oloya, a livestock farmer in Ywaya Parish in Anaka sub county, said that they have resorted to zero-grazing in their home to avoid risks of infection.

Last week, Michael Owiny, the Atwomo village community kraal chairperson in Patira parish, Purongo sub county disclosed that over 100 cattle in their community kraal were infected causing fear of significant economic loss to families.

Nwoya authorities have also imposed stringent quarantine measures prohibiting the sale of animal products like meat, milk or hide and ban the movement of animals in or out of the district to contain the disease.

Last month, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries procured 500,000 doses of FMD vaccine. On July 30th, the Ministry launched the national vaccination campaign targeting districts like Isingiro, Nakaseke, Lwengo, and Ntoroko where FDM is endemic.

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