Rift Valley fever kills 5 in Mbarara as foot-and-mouth disease also threatens the cattle corridor

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According to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mbarara Mr. Emmy Kateera Turyabagyenyi, FMD has also been confirmed in Rubaya sub county in the border with Kiruhura district, though authorities in Mbarara are still reluctant to put a total quarantine.




Farmers and other stakeholders in Mbarara district & city, Kiruhura, Kazo, Isingiro, Greater Bushenyi, Ibanda, Lyantonde and other parts of the cattle corridor have expressed worry following the death of 5 people in Mbarara district who succumbed to rift valley fever, as foot-and-mouth (FMD) disease also threatens the area.









Dr. Richard Atuhairwe, the in-charge of Bwizibwera Health Centre IV has confirmed that rift valley fever was detected among 30 people based on the results from Uganda Virus Research Institute, and five of the thirty have since died – as of Wednesday, March 22, 2023. It has been confirmed in Rwanyamahembe and Rubindi sub counties where over 50 sick cows have been registered on different farms. Rift Valley Fever (caused by rift valley virus) is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever that is most commonly seen in domestic animals and can also cause illness in people.







According to the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Mbarara Mr. Emmy Kateera Turyabagyenyi, FMD has also been confirmed in Rubaya sub county in the border with Kiruhura district, though authorities in Mbarara are still reluctant to put a total quarantine since the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries-MAAIF has already sent a team to investigate the situation.




In Buremba town council Kazo district, the town council veterinary officer Dr Ojodria Mali Pax confirmed that FMD broke out on March 3, 2023, and the 3 transitional carriers (cattle) had been bought from Kyenshama market that received animals from all districts in the cattle corridor and beyond.




Authorities in Kazo and Kiruhura districts have since intensified the fight against FDM including preventive measures like closure of markets, operations to temporarily stop movement of animals and their products, joint efforts with other districts, and other interventions.












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