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27 districts receive 3 million doses of FMD vaccines
Some DVOs and CAOs receive FMD vaccines from Minister of State for Animal Industry, Lt Col (rtd) Bright Rwamirama. Photo | Eve Muganga
What you need to know:
- The exercise, which is the second phase of the vaccination program, targets districts that have reported outbreaks and those along livestock transit routes.
In a bid to curb the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), the Ugandan government has distributed 3 million doses of the vaccine to 27 districts in the cattle corridor.
The exercise, which is the second phase of the vaccination program, targets districts that have reported outbreaks and those along livestock transit routes.
While handing over the vaccines to District Veterinary Officers (DVOs) and Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) at the National Animal Disease Diagnostics and Epidemiology Centre in Entebbe, Minister of State for Animal Industry, Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Rwamirama, emphasized the importance of vaccination.
"We are distributing 3 million doses of FMD from Egypt, which we are distributing to 27 districts. We need to make sure that we vaccinate every moving cattle," he said.
Mr Rwamirama noted that the government has changed its policy from providing free and compulsory vaccination to eradicating the current outbreak.
"We shall be vaccinating twice a year, and every farmer will be compelled to vaccinate twice, which means that FMD is going to become history," he added.
The Minister cautioned CAOs against charging farmers for the vaccination, saying that the government provides funds for the exercise.
"Please don't make this exercise very difficult, because you are preparing grounds for tough measures against yourselves. If you think this is your time to make business, you are trading dangerously," he warned.
Dr Peter Wanyana, Assistant Commissioner Veterinary Diagnostics and Epidemiology, emphasized the importance of using the vaccine and equipment effectively.
"Animal diseases like FMD don't only cause suffering to animals, but are also a threat to food security and have the potential to increase poverty levels in communities and the country at large through the bans and restrictions," he said.
Dr James Kakungulu, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Veterinary Regulations and Enforcement, revealed that the Ministry aims to distribute over 9 million doses of FMD vaccine by the end of June 2024.
"After handling high-risk districts, we shall target districts that have not reported FMD but are neighboring the outbreak districts, and then the rest of the FMD-free districts will follow," he said.
Among the districts that received the vaccine are Amuru, Budaka, Bududa, Bukomansimbi, Bushenyi, Butaleja, Butambala, Iganga, Kasese, Mityana, Mpigi, Mukono, Wakiso, and Serere.
