Vaccination of Cattle against Foot & Mouth Disease starts in Apac District

15 May 2023, 8:58 pm

By; Mike Okwang Ogule.

Barely a week of suspicion about the outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease by farmers in the District, the Apac District authority has taken keen initiative to vaccinate all cattle in the District in order to minimize on what they still term as rumors.

According to Mr. David Nelson Okello the Apac District Veterinary officer, the exercise starts today 15^th May 2023 with the first Phase targeting the sub-counties of Apoi, Akokoro, Ibuje and Akokoro Town Council all in Apac District.

Mr. Okello said it has come to their attention, a rumor circulating about an outbreak of FMD in the District which he asked the community to disregard henceforth saying his office has not yet detected any case similar to FMD.

Okello said due to difficulty in controlling livestock movements in and out of Apac they are now at a high risk of suffering from FMD since the District lies along the cattle corridor.

Owing to the Exercise, Mr. Okello however said the district has suspended all livestock markets during this vaccination period until completion, Entry of cloven-hoofed animals from other surrounding districts and also allowing only Licensed Cattle traders and butcher-men to buy animals for slaughter from farms and move them while possessing valid veterinary permits.

He also cautioned LC1s to refrain from authorizing movement of animals in and out of Apac for them not to land in problems.

“FMD vaccines are very safe for our animals. Milk and Meat from vaccinated animals are also safe for human consumption, as there is ‘Zero days’ waiting time thus dealers in meat and milk are free to continue with their business. Bulls for ploughing may be allowed some rest for 2 to 3 days for the vaccines to work well before they are taken back to the gardens for work’’, Okello said.

Apac District Local Government recently received from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) Foot and Mouth Disease Vaccines, together with other livestock vaccines which Mr. Okello attributes to their recent request and asked farmers to always be close to them and report quickly in case of an outbreak.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease that affects cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals. The disease causes fever and blisters or erosions on the tongue, lips, mouth, teats, and hooves. The disease has a significant economic impact on livestock production and trade according to experts.

The first FMD outbreak in Uganda was recorded in 1953. Since then, outbreaks occur annually and do not seem to follow a particular pattern, it has recently been reported and confirmed in Kazo District.