Cattle vaccines out of stock
Jan 25, 2009
THE vaccination of cattle in the districts affected by foot and mouth disease has stalled due to absence of vaccines, the agriculture ministry has said. “Until the finance ministry releases money, the suppliers cannot dispatch the vaccines,†said Dr.
By Anthony Bugembe
THE vaccination of cattle in the districts affected by foot and mouth disease has stalled due to absence of vaccines, the agriculture ministry has said. “Until the finance ministry releases money, the suppliers cannot dispatch the vaccines,†said Dr. Nicholas Kauta, the commissioner for livestock health and entomology.
“I applied to the permanent secretary, who forwarded it to the relevant authorities. I have not yet received any response.â€
Sources in the agriculture ministry told The New Vision that the Government recently ordered 300,000 doses of foot and mouth vaccines to control the disease in the northern and eastern districts.
“We need about sh30b per year to carry out routine vaccinations. However, because of inadequate funding, we opt for strategic vaccinations in districts where the disease has been reported,†Kauta said.
Towards the end of 2008 and early this year, veterinary authorities in northern Uganda closed butcheries and livestock markets in the districts of Lira, Apac, Amuru, Amolatar, Pader, Dokolo, Abim, Katakwi, Kaberamaido and Oyam.
This followed the outbreak of the disease, which left at least 300 head of cattle dead. Kauta said in addition to the quarantine, the Government was sensitising the farmers.
“The condition is stable. The disease has remained only in the areas where it was reported. Our main control measure now is quarantine, although some people sneak out with the animals,†he said.
“Some herds at the border with Tanzania in Rakai, were also found to be sick. This is common in January and February each year, because some animals cross over,†he added.
Kampala district veterinary officer Dr Bariyanga Ahimbisibwe said although the district was still free from the disease, precautionary measures would continue.
Foot and mouth disease is a viral disease affecting hoofed animals such as cattle, water buffalos, sheep, goats and pigs.
THE vaccination of cattle in the districts affected by foot and mouth disease has stalled due to absence of vaccines, the agriculture ministry has said. “Until the finance ministry releases money, the suppliers cannot dispatch the vaccines,†said Dr. Nicholas Kauta, the commissioner for livestock health and entomology.
“I applied to the permanent secretary, who forwarded it to the relevant authorities. I have not yet received any response.â€
Sources in the agriculture ministry told The New Vision that the Government recently ordered 300,000 doses of foot and mouth vaccines to control the disease in the northern and eastern districts.
“We need about sh30b per year to carry out routine vaccinations. However, because of inadequate funding, we opt for strategic vaccinations in districts where the disease has been reported,†Kauta said.
Towards the end of 2008 and early this year, veterinary authorities in northern Uganda closed butcheries and livestock markets in the districts of Lira, Apac, Amuru, Amolatar, Pader, Dokolo, Abim, Katakwi, Kaberamaido and Oyam.
This followed the outbreak of the disease, which left at least 300 head of cattle dead. Kauta said in addition to the quarantine, the Government was sensitising the farmers.
“The condition is stable. The disease has remained only in the areas where it was reported. Our main control measure now is quarantine, although some people sneak out with the animals,†he said.
“Some herds at the border with Tanzania in Rakai, were also found to be sick. This is common in January and February each year, because some animals cross over,†he added.
Kampala district veterinary officer Dr Bariyanga Ahimbisibwe said although the district was still free from the disease, precautionary measures would continue.
Foot and mouth disease is a viral disease affecting hoofed animals such as cattle, water buffalos, sheep, goats and pigs.