Cattle disease hits Gulu

Aug 08, 2009

A contagious cattle disease has claimed six head of cattle and infected over 600 others in Gulu district, the district veterinary officer has said.

By Chris Ocowun

A contagious cattle disease has claimed six head of cattle and infected over 600 others in Gulu district, the district veterinary officer has said.

Dr. Okidi Ochora said on Wednesday that contagious bovine pleuropneumone (CBPP) broke out in Patiko sub-county, affecting 1,879 head of cattle last week.

“We have already notified the commissioner of livestock health and entomology who gave us 2,000 vaccines for the cattle,” Okidi revealed. He added that a quarantine had been enforced in Patiko.

CBPP attacks the lungs of the cattle and its surrounding tissues. It’s characterised by severe coughing, loss of weight and eventually death.

He said all the non-infected cattle in Patiko would be vaccinated. “I appeal to the people of Lukodi, Pabwo and Owalo to prepare cattle to be vaccinated against CBPP.”

Every vaccine per head of cattle costs sh500, he said.

He added that the most affected areas in Patiko were Kal, Ajulu and Patalira. Okidi warned the people against violating the quarantine.

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