Anthony Bugembe
5 January 2009
Kampala — THE agriculture ministry has urged district veterinary officers to monitor the activities of cattle traders to check the spread of foot and mouth disease.
"The 'I don't care attitude' of the cattle traders is responsible for the spread of the disease. If the district authorities control the traders, it will be contained," said Dr. Nicholas Kauta, the commissioner for livestock health and entomology.
This follows the closure of butcheries and livestock markets in Lira, Apac, Amuru, Amolatar, Pader, Dokolo and Oyam districts by veterinary authorities in northern Uganda. At least 300 head of cattle have been reported dead since the outbreak three months ago.
"Many animals are smuggled out of quarantined areas at night. This creates a high risk in the non-quarantine areas," Kauta said, adding that several animals that were smuggled from the north were found in the City Abattoir in Kampala.
He said most past outbreaks of foot and mouth disease were first reported around slaughter houses due to failure by authorities to enforce slaughter guidelines.
"We directed the districts to have holding grounds for animals due for slaughter," Kauta said. He disclosed that the butcheries would remain closed until the last case of the disease is treated and cleared.
"Over the Christmas season, fresh cases were reported in Lira and Gulu. We have already supplied vaccines and will continue with the surveillance," he said.
Kauta said before Christmas, a cow suspected of having foot and mouth was reported in Tororo district, but the situation was contained.
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