Livestock quarantine restrictions lifted in Kibaale

By Vision Reporter
 
The ministry of agriculture, animal industry and fisheries has lifted the quarantine that was imposed on Kibaale district following the outbreak of contagious Bovine pleuropneumonia-CBPP disease.

“Following the complete disappearance of contagious Bovine pleuropneumonia-CBPP in the sub counties of Ndaiga, Mpeefu, and Kyaterekera in Buyaga west Kibaale district, quarantine restrictions that had been imposed has been lifted with immediate effect”, Dr. C.S. Rutebarika commissioner for livestock health and entomology announced.

Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP - also known as lung plague), is a contagious bacterial disease that afflicts the lungs of cattle, buffalo, zebu, and yaks.

It is caused by the bacterium Mycoplasma mycoides miscodes, and the symptoms are pneumonia and inflammation of the lung membranes.

The incubation period is 20 to 123 days. It was particularly widespread in the United States in 1879, affecting herds from several states.

The commissioner asked Kibaale district veterinary department, law enforcement officers, civic leaders and the general public to prevent illegal livestock movements in order to avoid the recurrence of the disease in the district.

Dr. Sylvester Kumalirwa from the veterinary department Kibaale told the New Vision that the disease left over ten herds of cattle dead.

“It was a serious contagious diseases we managed to contain it because it was detected a bit early and measures taken to prevent its spread to other sub counties and districts”, said Kumalirwa.

Kumalirwa said that they will adhere to the measures given by the ministry to prevent a recurrence of the disease.

“We have already talked to other stakeholders like civic leaders and the general public to adhere to livestock movement regulations,” said Kumalirwa.

However Kumalirwa said that the district is struggling with lumpy skin disease and is in several sub counties.

He said that over 1,300 herds of cattle have been vaccinated in Bwanswa Sub County, 200 in Matale Sub County and it has also been reported in Kisiita Sub County.

Lumpy skin disease is caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae, also known as Neethling virus.