By Patience Ampaire
Lyantonde district authorities have declared a total ban on the movement of livestock and their products due to a surge in new Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) cases.
The above move came as a directive from the commissioner of Animal Health in the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries after the increased cases of FMD in the district.
Wilson Kutamba the Lyantonde district Communication Officer said that the district task force on FMD has resolved to impose a total quarantine in the entire district following the persistent outbreaks of new cases in sub-counties like Kinuuka.
“FMD cases are triggered by lack of enough vaccines to cover the population of livestock in the whole district,” he said, adding that the livestock which is not vaccinated remain carriers of the disease, particularly goats, and pigs, among others.
Dr Ronald Bameka the Lyantonde district veterinary officer said that FMD was confirmed last month in Kaliiro sub-county and immediately fenced off the affected farm and started on vaccination.
He noted that however, new outbreaks in areas of Kinuuka and Mpumude sub-counties, have prompted the FMD task force to declare total quarantine in a bid to contain the spread.
“Consequently, due to sensitivity of FMD spread purchase, sale, movement slaughter of goats, cattle, pigs as well as their products has been strictly prohibited,” he said.
Livestock markets of Kyemamba, Kashagama, Kyeshama and all slaughterhouses in Lyantonde town council and district have also been closed.
Geoffrey Rwambizo a farmer from Kashagama Sub-county, Kagaga village said that total quarantine affects them as farmers because livestock is their sole source of livelihood.
Nuwagaba John also a farmer in Kinuuka Sub-county, Nakasozi parish noted that quarantine will hardly solve the spread because the vaccinated population of livestock is very low.
Godfrey Mbetegyerize the Lyantonde district Resident District Commissioner (RDC) said that there has been exaggerations that the district is highly infected with FMD saying the situation is under control.
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