Veterinary Doctors and Researchers are meeting at in Mbarara City for a three day workshop on technical review and validation of the risk-based strategic plan for the control of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Uganda.
The workshop being held at Lake View Hotel, is organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) headed by industrious PS Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama with support from UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) under the Technical Cooperation Project (TCP).
At least 36 Districts mostly known for cattle keeping have been placed under quarantine, stopping the movement of cattle and selling of beef because of the escalating spread of the FMD.
The Districts under the ongoing quarantine are Budaka, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi, Bunyangabu, Butaleja, Fortportal City, Gomba, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kassanda and Kayunga. Others are; Kazo, Kiboga, Kibuku, Kiruhura, Kumi, Kyankwanzi, Kyegegwa, Kyotera, Luuka, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Mbarara, Mbarara City, Mityana, Mpigi, Mubende, Nakaseke, Nakasongola, Naminsindwa, Ngora, Ntungamo, Rakai, Rwampara and Sembabule.
MAAIF under Kasura Kyomukama has so far released FMD vaccines totaling to 3.9 million doses and freezers to Veterinary Doctors of the most affected districts and efforts to cover all districts are in full gear.
More doses of vaccines that will make up to a total of close to 10 million doses are expected in the Country soon to enable scaling up of vaccination as the fight to eradicate FMD in Ugandan cattle enters a new phase.
ABOUT FMD
FMD is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact. The disease affects cattle, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.
It is a transboundary animal disease that deeply affect the production of livestock and disrupting regional and international trade in animals and animal products.
