Liver disease hits Soroti cattle
Liver fluke, a disease which destroys the liver of cattle, has hit Soroti district.
By Vincent Charles Ogwang
Liver fluke, a disease which destroys the liver of cattle, has hit Soroti district.
According to the district veterinary officer, Dr. Patrick Eyudu, the disease, which spreads at the onset of rains, was reported in Gweri, Arapai, Asuret, Kamuda and Kateta sub-counties.
According to statistics, 125 head of cattle died in Aukot parish, Gweri sub-county, 73 in Kateta parish, while 109 died in Asuret sub-county.
Eyudu blamed the epidemic on the recent floods, saying they provided a conducive breeding ground for the snails that harboured the fasciola worm, which causes the disease.
The veterinary chief said it was not easy to control the spread of the disease because the district is surrounded by wetlands.
The chief administrative officer, George William Omuge, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Industry had not responded to their plea for help.
“We are overwhelmed because many animals are affected by the disease yet the treatment is too expensive for us,†he said.
Omuge said the epidemic had hampered the district’s efforts on restocking.
“The outbreak of the disease has an effect on agriculture with the sick oxen not being able to plough. Famine is looming in this district,†he warned.
Omuge added that the quality and quantity of meat and milk had been affected.
Symptoms of the disease include severe loss of weight and weakness, he added.
Liver fluke, a disease which destroys the liver of cattle, has hit Soroti district.
According to the district veterinary officer, Dr. Patrick Eyudu, the disease, which spreads at the onset of rains, was reported in Gweri, Arapai, Asuret, Kamuda and Kateta sub-counties.
According to statistics, 125 head of cattle died in Aukot parish, Gweri sub-county, 73 in Kateta parish, while 109 died in Asuret sub-county.
Eyudu blamed the epidemic on the recent floods, saying they provided a conducive breeding ground for the snails that harboured the fasciola worm, which causes the disease.
The veterinary chief said it was not easy to control the spread of the disease because the district is surrounded by wetlands.
The chief administrative officer, George William Omuge, said the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Industry had not responded to their plea for help.
“We are overwhelmed because many animals are affected by the disease yet the treatment is too expensive for us,†he said.
Omuge said the epidemic had hampered the district’s efforts on restocking.
“The outbreak of the disease has an effect on agriculture with the sick oxen not being able to plough. Famine is looming in this district,†he warned.
Omuge added that the quality and quantity of meat and milk had been affected.
Symptoms of the disease include severe loss of weight and weakness, he added.