Invest more resources in prevention of cattle disease outbreaks

A modern veterinary laboratory will be constructed in Nyagatare district, Eastern Province, as part of Government’s plan to enhance, detect and respond to diseases that can affect the livestock sector.The province was recently hit by foot and mouth disease forcing the government to enforce animal quarantine in the area. The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry recently lifted the quarantine.Putting up a laboratory in this cattle disease prone area is a timely intervention. With this new development, cattle disease outbreaks will be prevented and controlled. The challenge in the past was limited vigilance and capacity to detect, monitor and prevent the cattle diseases.This meant that government would, in most cases, address an outbreak of a disease instead of preventing it. The outbreak of foot and mouth disease had serious consequences on the livelihood of people who trade in cattle and the farmers whose livelihoods depend on cattle. Foot and mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease that affects animals. Dairy foods, animal hides, meat and meat products were affected as they were not allowed to move to and from areas under strict quarantine controls. With well thought out mechanisms and regular monitoring, cattle disease outbreaks can be contained, consequently avoiding such a loss in the livestock sector.The lab will help to ensure sustainable, adequate and quality service to farmers. The lab should be equipped with what it takes to detect diseases. But the success of this campaign will take concerted efforts of all stakeholders to address the issue. Farmers should not look to Government for all solutions, but should also avoid any activities that are likely to spread animal diseases.

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Invest more resources in prevention of cattle disease outbreaks