SIMPSON M
A yet-to-be-identified disease has struck Rutenga and Kinaaba sub-counties in Kanungu District, killing over 100 animals, including goats and pigs.
According to Cristom Tumukurate, the LC3 Chairperson of Kinaaba Sub-county, the deaths have caused panic among residents who fear the disease could spread to human beings. He said the animal deaths began around December last year and have continued to increase, making the situation alarming. Tumukurate noted that attempts were made to treat the animals through a veterinary officer, but these efforts yielded no results, as animals continue to die rapidly. He has therefore called upon the government and other concerned authorities to urgently find ways of controlling and reducing the spread of the disease.
Meanwhile, Rutenga Sub-county LC3 Chairperson, Joab Asimiire, reported that at least 20 animals have died in the last two months in Mafuuga Parish. He said local leaders initially closed some markets and butcheries to prevent the spread of the disease, which temporarily reduced animal deaths. However, the markets were reopened due to school reopening and parents needing money for school fees, leading to a resurgence of the disease. Asimiire warned residents to be careful when buying animals, noting that they risk introducing the disease to healthy livestock. He also expressed concern that the disease poses a serious threat to human life, as some residents have resorted to eating dead animals, and appealed to the district authorities for urgent intervention.
The Kanungu District Veterinary Officer, Dr. Aloscious Tumwesigye, acknowledged the outbreak and the deaths of animals in Rutenga and Kinaaba sub-counties. He said the district technical team will meet on Thursday to assess the situation and determine the next course of action. Dr. Tumwesigye added that the disease is spreading rapidly due to the continued operation of animal markets in the affected areas, which he said will be closed temporarily to control the outbreak.
