By Frank Mugabi

THE agriculture ministry has imposed an indefinite quarantine on animals entering or leaving the West Nile region. This follows an outbreak of foot and mouth cattle disease in at least eight more districts, most of which are in the east and northern regions.

The assistant commissioner for livestock health and entomology, Dr. Chris Rutebarika, said the measure is to prevent the disease that has affected 27 districts this year, from spreading to West Nile.

“West Nile is the only region that has not got the disease since we registered the first cases in February. If we don’t restrict animal movement, it will take only a week for the region to become another victim,” Rutebarika said.

He said the west and central regions had suffered outbreaks, which had been combated.

New infections have been registered in Kotido, Abim, Amuria, Amuriat, Katakwi, Kaberamaido, Kitgum and Lira.

Rutebarika said the disease, which is considered the greatest threat to cattle trade worldwide, is suspected to have been imported into the country through the Tanzanian border with Insigiro and Rakai districts.

Livestock experts blame infected cattle from Karagwe district in northern Tanzania for spreading the disease to Endiizi and Mbale sub-counties in Insigiro.

Tanzanian authorities have been criticised for reluctantly responding to the outbreak in their country.

According to the Insigiro district veterinary officer, Dr. Bruhan Kasozi, whereas Uganda closed its two livestock markets, Tanzania rejected Uganda’s plea for them to close Ndyabatuura market or even shift it at least 15km inland.