KWS probes anthrax as 100 buffalos die
What you need to know:
- Announcing the outbreak, County Executive for Agriculture Stanley Chepkwony said the county government had imposed a quarantine in Rongai, Nakuru West and Nakuru East following the outbreak which was reported five days ago.
- Meanwhile, residents of Mwanyani, Miomponi and other villages that border Meru National Park in Tharaka North have complained of elephants destroying their crops for the last three weeks.
- According to the residents, a number of elephants from the park have moved to Kiagu hill where they invade the farms during the night and head back to the thick forest during the day.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has sent a team of experts to Lake Nakuru National Park following an outbreak of anthrax which has killed 100 buffalos and two rhinos.
KWS senior veterinary officer Dominic Mijele said samples taken from the animals confirmed they died of anthrax.
“We have embarked on a decontamination exercise that will see all the endangered animals vaccinated,” he said.
Dr Mijele said the investigation seeks to find the origin of the disease in order to come up with mitigative measures.
Announcing the outbreak, County Executive for Agriculture Stanley Chepkwony said the county government had imposed a quarantine in Rongai, Nakuru West and Nakuru East following the outbreak which was reported five days ago.
Through a statement sent to the newsrooms, Dr Chepkwony said meat would not be allowed in and out of the quarantined areas.
“We are also warning people not to come into contact with these animals or their meat. People should also make sure they consume inspected meat,” he said.
He said free anthrax vaccination would begin today in all the affected areas to prevent further spread.
“We will also be giving free anti-rabies vaccination for dogs because sometimes they spread anthrax by eating infected carcass,” said Dr Chepkwony.
He urged residents to report any symptoms of anthrax among domestic animals.
The symptoms include fever, shivering, twitching, harsh dry coat, blood in the dung and nostrils, and loss of appetite.
Other symptoms are dejection and reduced or complete loss of milk production.
Present during the ceremony was the park’s Senior Warden Dickson Ritan.
Meanwhile, residents of Mwanyani, Miomponi and other villages that border Meru National Park in Tharaka North have complained of elephants destroying their crops for the last three weeks.
According to the residents, a number of elephants from the park have moved to Kiagu hill where they invade the farms during the night and head back to the thick forest during the day.
On Tuesday, Mwanyani and Miomponi locals spent the whole day trying to keep away the elephants from their farms.
“It is unfortunate that these elephants have invaded our farms during the harvest period,” said Mr John Kinyua, a resident of Mwanyani village.
Earlier, Meru National Park Senior Warden Kenneth Ochieng’ told Nation that farmers whose crops have been destroyed would be compensated.
