Vihiga County bans livestock trade over foot-and-mouth disease

Bungoma and Busia counties banned livestock trade last month over the disease. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Bungoma and Busia counties banned livestock trade over foot-and-mouth disease.

  • The infectious viral disease affects hoofed animals and is often fatal.

  • Vihiga officials are working with their colleagues in neighbouring counties to contain the disease.

Vihiga County government has placed an indefinite quarantine on livestock following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

The devolved unit and restricted livestock movement and trade in their products, and also closed all livestock markets, affecting several businesses.

OUTBREAK

Bungoma and Busia counties banned livestock trade last month over the disease.

On Monday, Vihiga County Director of Veterinary Services Idris Luhaga said the restriction will be applied in all the five sub-Counties of Emuhaya, Hamisi, Luanda, Sabatia and Vihiga.

He said the decision was reached after several sick animals tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease.

“No stock or other animal shall be moved in or out [of the county and affected areas] without a written permission of the County Director of Veterinary Services or the veterinary officer or inspectors,” Dr Luhaga said.

“There shall be no movement of livestock for grazing or breeding. Carcasses of all animals dying from the disease shall forthwith be either buried at the depth of not less than four feet below the surface of the ground or burnt at the expense of the owner.”

VACCINATION DRIVE

The infectious viral disease affects hoofed animals, both domestic and wild, and is often fatal.

The virus causes a high fever for two or three days, then blisters develop inside the mouth and on the hooves of the animals. The blisters could rupture and cause lameness.

Dr Luhaga said the department of Agriculture in the county will conduct a vaccination drive to prevent the spread of the disease.

Vihiga officials said they were working with their colleagues in neighbouring counties to contain the disease.

NOTICE

Dr Luhaga said the county had communicated the same notice to the neighbouring counties of Busia, Kakamega, Kisumu, Nandi and Siaya, some of which imposed similar bans following the outbreak.

He said his office had informed police bosses in the county of the ban to help in its implementation and make it effective.

In February 2014, a similar ban was issued in Vihiga County in the three sub-Counties of Hamisi, Sabatia and Vihiga.