Kikonyogo Ngatya
16 September 2008
Kampala — CATTLE-keepers in western Uganda risk losing their animals to nagana, a disease that affects livestock.
A new study has shown that the Ankole cattle, which are kept in these areas, have low immunity against the disease, compared to other breeds.
The study by the National Livestock Resources Research Institute (NaLIRRI) in Tororo, found that the Ankole cattle were not capable of surviving under intense tsetse fly and nagana infestation.
"Tororo district had the highest prevalence (9.5%), followed by Bugiri (7.5%), Mbale (6.5%), Soroti (6.3%), Iganga (6.2%) and Busia (4.4%). These preliminary results suggest that the Nkedi Zebu cattle might have more superior control of the effects of nagana than the Ankole cattle, " the study noted.
Traditionally, Nkedi Zebu has been the most common breed in tsetse-infested areas where there is high prevalence of nagana, while Ankole cattle have been kept in the previously Nagana-free areas of western Uganda.
But now scientists note that the tsetse flies, which spread nagana, have spread to many areas in the country.
Dr. Loyce Okedi, the head of the sleeping sickness research programme at NaLIRRI, said over 60% of the country is now endemic with the disease.
"There is a sharp increase in the population of tsetse flies. The flies follow the Nile and other rivers, spreading the disease to the regions along those water bodies," she said.
The scientists now recommend that the Government should enhance communal treatment of the cattle in areas affected by nagana.
The study recommends direct application of insecticides to cattle. The study also calls for group-spraying by communities in high-risk sub-counties.
Unless these control measures are carried out, the study warns, the productivity of newly-introduced, high-yielding dairy cattle could be reduced.
Many cattle-keepers had benefited from the Government's restocking programme, which aimed at improving livestock production in areas affected by civil conflicts.
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