Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Luweero, Nakaseke

Apr 20, 2017

As a result of the quarantine, no meat or animal products including milk and ghee are allowed out of the area.

The government has imposed a quarantine on Kalwanga parish, Katikamu North constituency in Luweero District  following an outbreak of the food-and-mouth disease.

As a result of the quarantine, no meat or animal products including milk and ghee are allowed out of the area.

The area, which lies at the northern extreme of Luweero district, accounts for an estimated 50% of all cows in Luweero.

The foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a severe and highly contagious viral disease. Symptoms in infected animals present themselves in form of: lost appetite, sticky or foamy saliva, and reluctance to move, fever and blisters on the tongue, mouth and foot.

Dr. Aloysius Lumbuye, the Luweero district veterinary officer, said he had so far registered six cases. All the cases were identified at Kaya's Farm, a leading cattle farm in the district.

Meanwhile, the agriculture ministry has imposed a quarantine on Ngoma sub-county in neighboring Nakaseke district following a fresh outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease.

It is the second time this year that the is breaking out in the predominantly cattle-keeping area.

Ngoma sub-county chairman Wasswa Ziritwawula said the FMD outbreak was likely to affect local revenue collections and household incomes as the sub-county entirely depends on animal products for its local revenue.

He said animal products contribute up to sh2m in local revenue daily to the sub-county coffers.

 

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