By Patience Ampaire
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Lyantonde district continues to escalate, with farmers asking for the closure of all cattle markets.
Enock Muhimbura a farmer and a resident of Kinuuka sub-county, Bwanamira parish in Lyantonde district says that at first farmers were hardly hit by the disease because they were unaware but in the second phase they cooperated with the district officials to fight it, although some few elements are not following the set guidelines.
He said security agencies have tried their best to tighten quarantine restrictions on the infected farms but believes this might not end the disease until one of the monthly markets in the district, Kyemamba is closed.
”Most farmers have now resorted to night transportation of animals, especially those from Kyemamba market. So to end this disease I think all markets including Kyemamba should be closed for two months at least we first study the situation,” noted Muhimbura
Fred Muhangi, Chairman LC5 Lyantonde district, advised farmers to avoid concealing the disease in their farms. He says that the disease is publicly known, therefore whoever sees signs on his or her farm should immediately report to the responsible personnel like veterinary doctors.
Dr Ronald Bameka, the District Veterinary Officer, said that so far two farms in the district are infected and they have managed to contain the disease in those farms without spreading further. He added that ring vaccination is ongoing and so far 30,000 herds of cattle have been vaccinated.
Dr Bameka highlighted some of the guidelines put in place to control the spread of FMD;
He said farms that are infected are put under total quarantine with no animal movements including their products and advised that farmers should buy jic and disinfect vehicles transporting milk.
Mbetegyerize Godfrey, the District Resident District Commissioner (RDC) says that they have registered several FMD cases in areas of Kinuuka, Kaliiro sub-counties and they have tightened measures to curb the spread of this disease.
He added that so far over five thousand vaccines have been administered to the cattle in the district and that the district veterinary officer is in Entebbe to pick more vaccines thus calling upon farmers to stay committed to fighting the disease.
As we report this, Kaliiro sub-county has about 8 infected cattle and Kinuuka sub-county has over 25 cows especially calves that are infected and currently under treatment.
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