By Patrick Opio
FOOT and mouth disease has attacked cattle in Apac district, prompting the veterinary officer, Dr. Ongu Elim, to announce a quarantine on animal movement.
Addressing the press on Tuesday, Elim said the quarantine would affect Aduku and Abongomola sub-counties, which have the highest prevalence of the contagious animal fever.
The measures, he said, took immediate effect and warned tough action against cattle-keepers and livestock dealers who do not obey the ban.
Elim said some of the symptoms include blisters and wounds in the mouth and feet of an infected animal, forcing the animal to stop grazing and moving.
The disease, he said, could kill the animal within 24 days after weakening it.
“We believe the measure will stop further spread of the disease,” Elim said.
He said the district had established animal check-points on all roads including community access roads.
“The farmers ought to cooperate with the veterinary officers to eliminate it in the shortest time possible,” he said.
Elim said the agriculture ministry would send vaccines for free use on all animals in the district.
The foot and mouth disease is a fatal viral infection of cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, water buffalos, sheep, goats and pigs. It drastically reduces milk output during lactation.
Although it does not affect human beings, he said, people who consume the meat of an infected animal can spread the disease.
It is transmitted through, saliva, dung, urine, milk and semen and takes up to four days for the symptoms to appear. Elim urged the local leaders to implement the quarantine. |
No comments:
Post a Comment