Nakasongola authorities have banned the movement of cattle from Nakitoma and Nabiswera sub counties following an outbreak of the contagious Bovine Pleuropheumonia and foot and mouth diseases. The foot and mouth disease is reported to have killed several heads of cattle in Nabiswera. Several other heads of cattle have been diagnosed with the contagious Bovine Pleuropheumonia (CBPP) which is locally known as Kihaha in Nakitoma Sub County.
Dr Sam Eswagu, Nakasongola District Veterinary Officer says that they have instituted quarantine to control the spread of the diseases to other parts of the district. He explains that veterinary staffs have also embarked on a massive vaccination of animals to prevent further infection of animals. Eswagu says that they have also advised pastoralists to report suspected cases to Local councils. Patrick Lwamafa, a pastoralist in Nabiswera says that his cattle have developed sores and blisters in the hooves affecting its milk production.
Lwamafa says that he is stuck because there are no veterinary drug shops in the area where he can find medicine to treat his animals. He appeals to the district to come to their rescue before they lose their animals. John Kyapapa the district councilor for Nakitoma subcounty says both diseases are spreading faster because of communal grazing, sharing water points and farm implements.
Kyapapa has welcomed the decision by the district to ban cattle movement but saying it will affect the living conditions of pastoralists because cows are their only source of revenue. CBPP affects the respiratory system of livestock. It is transmitted by mycoplasma mycoides bacterial, while the foot and mouth disease is caused by a virus called by picornavirus.
Animals with the food and mouth disease present with fever, reduced milk yield, sores and blisters on feet, Slobbering and smacking lips. CBBP presents with coughing and difficulty in breathing among others. In 2010, the two diseases attacked Nakasongola district leaving hundreds of cattle dead
