FMD: MAAIF SUPPLIES OVER 90,000 VACCINES TO WEST NILE

By Dramadri Federick

Arua City

Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries has supplied over Ninety thousand vaccines against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in West Nile Region.

Three weeks ago, MAAIF instituted quarantine in Nebbi district barring transportation of livestock within and outside the district after several animals succumbed to the foot and mouth disease and this has spread to various districts within west Nile.

Dr. Nguma Willy the director Arua regional veterinary lab says foot and mouth disease is a sporadic diseases that spreads very fast among animals. He noted that following the supply of vaccines districts are impacting of serious vaccination to avoid further spread.

Nguma further explains that his office received 35,000 vaccines from MAAIF in the fight against the FMD and encourage “neighboring districts whose vaccines may not be enough to write to his office so that more animals are saved form the viral disease.”

“In Nebbi district there’s quarantine, some few parts of Pakwach are also infected by the outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease, Zombo sighted also some few sub counties with the disease and also Arua district in Ajia Sub County plus Oluko in Arua city we need to act faster as the outbreaks are sporadic.” Nguma revealed
According to records from MAAIF, the ministry supplied 90,865 doses of the FMD vaccines to various districts including Nebbi, Zombo Pakwach, Madi Okollo and Arua district to contain the disease.

Dr. Abedican William the Nebbi district veterinary officer explains that they are currently vaccinating animals alongside knowledge expansion to the farmers.
“Currently we don’t have active cases but we have cases that have wounds which are healing, and to date we have vaccinated over 20,000 herds of cattle plus some few ruminant animals that is why the situation is under control.” Dr. Abedican noted.

Whereas comas Ayikobua the District councilor representing Ajia sub county to Arua district urge authorities to prioritize farmer trainings in the disease fight as foot and Mouth disease is an dangerous disease of economy drainage.

“It is a threatening information, aware that many of our farmers under PDM (Parish Development Module) have infested in Animal production, this will affect recovery and facilitate poverty.”

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting livestock, particularly cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, pigs, and sheep characterized by sores and blisters on the feet, mouth, and tongue, as well as fever and lameness.