Authorities in Kazo district western Uganda have confirmed the new outbreak of foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease in Bwantama cell Kyabahura ward Buremba town council where 5 families have so far been mapped as hotspots, prompting local authorities to announce a quarantine on selling or movement of animals and their products in the sub county.
New details that have emerged indicate that on March 3,2023, a farmer hailing from Bwantama in Kazo district bought 3 bulls from Kyenshama market Kiruhura district (in Kiruhura border with Mbarara district), and he has since sold 2 to different people in the district.
According to the Buremba town council veterinary officer Dr Ojodria Mali Pax, FMD signs and symptoms were seen and the disease was confirmed on Saturday, 11th March 2023, and efforts including vaccination are underway to prevent the spread. He added that the farmer sold the animals from his home not in the market.
Kazo last suffered FMD in 2021 when farmers expressed concern over lack of holding grounds for impounded and suspected animals, a hindrance that is still existing.
Hotspots. Kyenshama market where the transitional carriers were bought from receives animals from Mbarara, Kazo, Kiruhura, Isingiro, Lyantonde and other districts in the cattle corridor.
Authorities in Kazo district and other parts of the cattle corridor have now confirmed that joint efforts are underway to prevent the spread of FMD. By Aaron Ainomugisha – Rise Against Poverty Organization-RAP UGANDA, RISE for Community & Media Empowerment-Uganda, Western Uganda Media Centre-WUMEC Uganda.
