Nandi bans livestock movement over FMD outbreak

The Department of Livestock in the County Government of Nandi has announced a one-month ban of cattle, sheep, and pig movement following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.

Dr. Paul Sanga, Chief Officer in Charge of Agriculture and Cooperative Development, detailed the beginning of the mass vaccination campaign against Foot and Mouth Disease and also Anthrax and Black Quarter on affected livestock.

Sanga warned that Foot and Mouth Disease had spread in five sub-counties out of Six Sub-Counties making Nandi County.

The Chief Officer called on the locals to observe quarantine warnings to control further spread of disease.

He said the vaccination targets close to 300,000 heads of cattle in Nandi while insisting that it was a normal disease control exercise and that all farmers are encouraged to have their livestock vaccinated.

“We encourage our farmers to ensure all their livestock are vaccinated against viral FMD and other related diseases like anthrax and blackquarter,” he said.

County Director in Charge of Veterinary Services Dr. Samson Bitok revealed that all livestock sale yards across the county had been closed for the next one month to allow the veterinary officials to manage the FMD and also Anthrax plus Black Water.

“We have closed all livestock sale yards and also put in place quarantine measures as a strategy to control further spread of the disease,” Dr. Bitok said.

Bitok revealed that animals showing signs of wounds in their mouths, hooves, and tits and also discharge of saliva in their mouths are clear signs of FMD.

“Our farmers should monitor and report immediately if their cows display signs of wounds in their mouths, hooves, teats, and excessive saliva discharge,” he said.

Dr. Bitok advised farmers to give their affected animals excessive liquid rich in carbohydrates and use antiseptic disinfectant to kill the FMD virus in externally affected parts.

He hailed the National Government’s ongoing cattle mass vaccination campaign, maintaining that it will finally eliminate FMD, Anthrax, and other cattle diseases.

The vet expert said that a successful National Government cattle vaccination campaign will open more international markets for Kenyan animal products.

Nandi farmers have lauded the National and County Governments’ move to vaccinate their cattle since cattle keeping forms part of their economic mainstay.

By Geoffrey Satia