Migori bans movement of pigs

The County government of Migori has issued a quarantine notice to block the movement of pigs in and out of Awendo Sub-County following an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) within Awendo town and its environs.

County Executive Committee (CEC) Member in charge of agriculture, livestock and fisheries, Lukas Mosenda, while declaring the quarantine, said the outbreak follows an alarming increase of number of pigs within Awendo town and its suburbs.

Mosenda said that the ban on pig movement, sale of pork and other products associated with the animal has been prompted by the rapid spread of ASF in the region.

“We want to make it known to farmers and other stakeholders in Migori County that there is an outbreak of ASF disease in Awendo sub county, which is fast spreading in the area. As a result, we have decided to ban all businesses related to pigs in Awendo town and its suburb,” he said in a terse press statement released to the Media.

The county executive said the disease is known to kill infected pigs enormously, adding agricultural officers investigating the outbreak have linked its rapid spread in the region to poor pig management practices.

“Many pigs are not well controlled in their sites. Instead, they are left to loiter around homes, making it easy for infected ones to spread the disease,” the statement read in part.

“No pigs or pig products are to be transported in or out of the area until further notice. This directive aims to contain the spread before it reaches neighboring sub-counties,” the CEC’s statement further read.

He urged residents to adopt strict hygiene and improved farming methods with a view to protect the region from ASF attacks and in turn minimize economic losses.

By Fenny Ogalo and Addah Awuor