By Victoria Nampala Bugembe
Dr. Steven Lule Kibuuse, a veterinary doctor, has cautioned farmers about the rampant Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) among livestock within the country most especially in the cattle corridor districts that are under quarantine.
While appearing on a weekly farming show on Bukedde Radio yesterday, Kibuuse said that all animal products must not be consumed if a farmer suspects the animals to suffer from either FMD or anthrax disease.
Products like milk, meat, skins and hides, and ghee must be discontinued immediately to prevent the spread from one family to another.
To protect the animals, farmers were advised to Use paddock systems because even wild animals can transport diseases thatare spread within 48 hours in a free-range system or communal rearing where animals mingle freely and feed from grass that might be infected by a wild animal.
Use your water springs or reserved water as the virus of Foot and mouth is highly translated through the water even if the spring is covering over 10 miles from your location.
Avoid mating from one bull in an area as it might be infected and the virus spread across the whole village which in turn can affect the whole village and district at large.
If a farmer notices any sign of foot andmouth, Anthrax disease through the way animals feed and live generally, discriminates it from the rest and slaughtered but do not share the meat but, burn the animal using a mixture of paraffin and petrol than burying the animal because the virus remains in the soil for more than 20 years.
He cautioned livestock farmers to follow the guidelines passed by the Ministryand safeguard their farms for better benefits in the future.
