Cattle markets closed in seven districts
Jan 04, 2009
BUTCHERIES and livestock markets in seven northern Uganda districts have been closed due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Veterinary officers in the affected districts said at least 300 head of cattle had died of the disease.
By Patrick Opio
BUTCHERIES and livestock markets in seven northern Uganda districts have been closed due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Veterinary officers in the affected districts said at least 300 head of cattle had died of the disease.
They added that the ban had also affected beef sales over the weekend.
The affected districts are Lira, Apac, Amuru, Amolatar, Pader, Dokolo and Oyam.
Lira veterinary officer Dr. Wilson Okwir said at least 80 cattle had died in Amac, Olilim and other sub-counties.
He said over 70,000 animals in the district were at risk of attack of the disease if they are not vaccinated in time.
The Dokolo veterinary officer, Dr. Richard Enyang, said 35 cattle had died and that several villages bordering Amolatar and Kaberamaido districts were infested with the disease.
In Amolatar, Dr. Tamin Ebong said 75 cattle had died and that 55,000 were at risk of catching the disease.
He added that disease prevalence was highest in Muntu and Nakatiti.
In Oyam, Tom Ogwal said no deaths had been reported and all animal entry points in the district had been closed.
He warned those disobeying the quarantine, saying they would be prosecuted, fined sh2m or serve a sentence of six years in prison upon conviction.
Ogwal said veterinary officers were assessing the situation in the district.
In Amuru, Dr. James Ukwir said 40 animals had died and over 2,500 had been affected in three sub-counties.
He said Lamogi, Amuru and Pabbo sub-counties were affected. Ukwir said they would sensitise the community on the disease.
“They should eat meat that has been inspected by veterinary officers to avoid complications,†he said.
In Apac, Dr James Ongu-Elim said the quarantine took effect in December and that markets in Aduku and Akwon had been closed down.
“We believe the measure will stop further spread of the disease to other parts of the district,†he said.
“Farmers should cooperate with veterinary officers to eliminate the disease,†he advised.
Ongu said foot and mouth is a viral disease that affects hoofed animals such as cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs.
He warned that the disease were fatal, especially to calves, and drastically reduces milk output of affected cows during lactation.
He noted that although the disease does not affect humans, those eating infected meat could spread it.
BUTCHERIES and livestock markets in seven northern Uganda districts have been closed due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease. Veterinary officers in the affected districts said at least 300 head of cattle had died of the disease.
They added that the ban had also affected beef sales over the weekend.
The affected districts are Lira, Apac, Amuru, Amolatar, Pader, Dokolo and Oyam.
Lira veterinary officer Dr. Wilson Okwir said at least 80 cattle had died in Amac, Olilim and other sub-counties.
He said over 70,000 animals in the district were at risk of attack of the disease if they are not vaccinated in time.
The Dokolo veterinary officer, Dr. Richard Enyang, said 35 cattle had died and that several villages bordering Amolatar and Kaberamaido districts were infested with the disease.
In Amolatar, Dr. Tamin Ebong said 75 cattle had died and that 55,000 were at risk of catching the disease.
He added that disease prevalence was highest in Muntu and Nakatiti.
In Oyam, Tom Ogwal said no deaths had been reported and all animal entry points in the district had been closed.
He warned those disobeying the quarantine, saying they would be prosecuted, fined sh2m or serve a sentence of six years in prison upon conviction.
Ogwal said veterinary officers were assessing the situation in the district.
In Amuru, Dr. James Ukwir said 40 animals had died and over 2,500 had been affected in three sub-counties.
He said Lamogi, Amuru and Pabbo sub-counties were affected. Ukwir said they would sensitise the community on the disease.
“They should eat meat that has been inspected by veterinary officers to avoid complications,†he said.
In Apac, Dr James Ongu-Elim said the quarantine took effect in December and that markets in Aduku and Akwon had been closed down.
“We believe the measure will stop further spread of the disease to other parts of the district,†he said.
“Farmers should cooperate with veterinary officers to eliminate the disease,†he advised.
Ongu said foot and mouth is a viral disease that affects hoofed animals such as cattle, water buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs.
He warned that the disease were fatal, especially to calves, and drastically reduces milk output of affected cows during lactation.
He noted that although the disease does not affect humans, those eating infected meat could spread it.