By Prossy Nandudu
The Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccines, which the government ordered in December 2023 are expected in the country, in the first week of April.
This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries, Maj. Gen. David Kasura Kyomukama.
Following the outbreak of FMD in November last year, in one of the cattle corridor districts, the Minister of agriculture, Frank Tumwebaze appealed to Parliament for funds for the purchase of FMD vaccines.
The request was later approved by Cabinet, leading to the release of funds for 10 million doses, to carry out ring vaccination to contain the diseases.
“I can now tell you that we expect FMD vaccines at the beginning of April. But these vaccines will not even be enough. What we have done is anticipate and order more 10 million vaccines after the first batch that was ordered. And then in the medium to long term, we are going to get 44 million dozes twice a year,” Kasura said.
About the funding, he said that Cabinet has already approved the budget for these vaccines, adding that unlike in the past when vaccines were being given out for free, after the first batch, which will be given out for free, the rest will be given out on a cost-sharing basis.
“This time we are going to cost share for a very nominal fee. We are going to pay for the vaccination exercise and the farmer will pay for the vaccine whose dose is about $2, about sh8000. A farmer will pay sh8000 twice a year to save his cow, that brings the total to sh16, 000 per year,” Kasura explained in an interview at his office at Cotton House recently.
Impact of FMD on livestock
He explained that FMD, which causes sores in the mouth and foot of a cow, makes it impossible for the cow to feed on its own. This weakens it further, affecting the quality of its meat, and a drop in milk for the dairy breeds.
Although it doesn’t kill the cow instantly, due to weakened immunity and failure to eat because of the wounds in the mouth, the cow eventually dies of hunger among other reasons.
Although the disease affects all cows, high mortality has been reported among improved cattle breeds, that have a higher production capacity of milk, Kasura added.
Precautionary measures
In the meantime, he advised sector players to stick to quarantine rules to prevent the spread of the disease.
Owner of the cow
After knowing that the cow is sick, he or she sells or gives it to a relative as a gift, hence transferring the disease to another district or sub-county.
The law enforcer
Law/quarantine enforcers including policemen, and veterinary doctors continue to issue movement permits from and through districts that have been put under quarantine due to the FMD outbreak hence facilitating the movement of sick animals.
Trader
When managing cattle diseases, traders must only trade in animals with licensed movement permits which will not only save them from buying sick animals but also save them from buying stolen animals. But many continue to accept animals with no valid travel documents.
“If we can enforce discipline among the three categories of people I have mentioned, FMD wouldn’t have spread to now 35 districts,” he added.
