KCCA restricts movement of pigs in city

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has restricted the movement of pigs within the affected division to other areas of the city, Dr Emilian Ahimbisbwe who is in charge of veterinary services has said.

During the inspection of Lubaga division, on Monday, Ahimbisbwe said that limitation for pigs and their products has been made in the affected division and parishes in Kampala as KCCA and Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries continue to investigate areas which have been hit by Swine Fever.

He said that in Kampala, parishes of Natete, Lungujja, Lubya and Busega, in Lubaga have been identified as having Swine Fever, adding that a number of blood samples have been drawn from pigs and their carcasses to ensure that there is no further spread.

"We are in the field with officials from Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), and Makerere University College of Vet, visiting that affected parishes and sensitizing them on how to remain cautious" Ahimbisbwe said.

He however warned the public against accepting strangers visiting their farmers, accepting left over foods from pork joints to feed their animals saying that this is how the fever is spread.

Swine Fever according to Ahimbisbwe is transmitted from affected pigs, pigs feeding on leftovers of affected pigs, and farmers with affected pigs visiting other farmers.

He says that the affected pigs present themselves with high fever, red patches on the skin and vomiting. The virus can cause death of animals within a week after infection.

The president of the Uganda Veterinary Association, Dr. Dominic Lali explained that MAAIF has to establish the number of affected animals and the affected districts before they declare quarantine.

"We need to verify from the MAAIF the magnitude of the outbreak before we announce quarantine," Lali said.

Efforts to get a comment from MAAIF were futile as the commissioner in charge of veterinary services was unreachable via phone.