AMOS K
Cattle keepers from Rugarama North Sub-county in Ntungamo District have raised concerns over an outbreak of an animal disease that is severely killing livestock, especially cows.
According to Gashom Ruremire, the Rugarama Sub-county councillor and a cattle keeper, the disease remains unidentified and is killing animals within a few days of infection.
Additionally, Gashom mentioned that a similar disease was reported in the area in the 1940s and was controlled by relocating animals to another farm and burning the affected area. However, he noted that this approach is no longer feasible due to congestion and limited pastures.
Amanya Ivan Rwanyakibale, the LC3 chairperson of Rugarama North Sub-county, stated that the disease primarily affects fat animals, killing them within a short period, often before any treatment can take effect.
Describing some of the symptoms, he mentioned fever and general body weakness, which ultimately lead to death. He added that although veterinary officers and farmers have attempted to treat affected animals, the disease remains unidentified, and livestock deaths continue to rise.
Rwanyakibale urged cattle keepers to remain vigilant to help in controlling the outbreak.
In response, the veterinary officer for Rugarama North Sub-county, Emmanuel Arinaitwe, stated that he had not received any reports about the new disease and was only aware of a previous outbreak that occurred around Christmas.
He advised the affected farmers to report cases to the relevant authorities so that appropriate measures can be taken to address the issue.
