Outbreak of cattle disease puts Rwanda on alert

Movement of cattle from Uganda to Rwanda has been banned following the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Uganda’s western districts of Ntungamo and Isingiro. Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) has dispatched a team of veterinary officers at the borders to enforce the ban.Foot-and-mouth disease is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including domestic and wild bovid“We have temporarily stopped the entry of animals from Uganda and we have put the foot-bath containing a disinfectant at all entry points to prevent the disease,” Dr Christine Kanyandekwe Deputy Director General for animal resources extension in RAB told The New Times. She said the disease is 20 kilometres away from Kagitumba border and most emphasis is put on porous borders where infected animals like cows, goats, sheep and others could be sneaked into the country.Nyagatare District Mayor, Fred Atuhe, said they have increased vigilance in the district to check the spread of the disease.He said there was fear the disease could have already broken out in the Sectors of Matimba, Rwempasha, Mushikiri and Tabagwe.“We are taking no-nonsense decisions to control the spread of the deadly disease. There is no more movement of cows. We are taking no chances because of the porous border,” he said.The virus causes a high fever for two or three days, followed by blisters inside the mouth and on the feet that may rupture and cause lameness and death.The disease is spread by infected animals through aerosols, contact with contaminated farming equipment, vehicles, clothing or feed and by domestic and wild predators.Though it doesn’t kill the animal immediately, it debilitates milk and meat production, causing severe economic losses to farmers.Justine Zimurinda, in charge of Animal Quarantine in the Eastern Province, said if the disease crosses over, the country could lose Rwf 4 billion within three months. “We earn a lot of money from milk and beef. The disease has not yet broken out here, but the fact that it is present in neighbouring Uganda is a threat enough,” Zimurinda said.Other trans-boundary diseases that are a threat tothe region, especially Tanzania, are Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) which its considered the most destructive viral disease affecting small ruminant flocks.The disease may cause death rates of up to 100% in sheep and goats if not prevented immediately.Rwanda last had an infectious animal disease outbreak in 2008 and from then on, the government put strict control at its borders to avoid illegal import of animals from neighbouring countries and implemented quarantine measures.

National

Outbreak of cattle disease puts Rwanda on alert