Kampala — THE Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Fisheries has restricted release of information on animal and bird disease outbreaks to only its commissioners.

"Disease outbreaks in animals and birds are so sensitive that dissemination of information to the public must be to only concerned authorities in the ministry," said William Mukani, the director of animal resources, during a two-day national consultative workshop on Draft Avian Influenza (bird flu) Compensation policy at Paradise Hotel Jinja, recently.

"Poultry farmers recently lost business due to speculation about bird flu. Some information about disease outbreaks is concocted.

Farming companies and the ministry spend a lot of money to make clarification on false information on outbreaks. The media should seek clarification from the commissioners in cases of outbreaks," he said.

Dr Nicholas Kauta, the commissioner for livestock health and entomology, said in case of a suspected disease outbreak, the people should contact veterinary officers in their area, who should inform higher authorities. He said the ministry then sends experts to investigate the affected birds or animals and advise before the information is released.