The Ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries has imposed quarantine on the movement of pigs in Kabarole district following the outbreak of the African swine fever, a highly contagious viral disease.
In a letter dated June 5, 2012 signed by DR. C.S. Rutebarika, the Commissioner for Livestock Health and Entomology, the movement of pigs to and within the district and consumption of pork is prohibited until further notice.
The letter further states that the veterinary staff, local councilors and enforcement personnel should enforce quarantine restrictions with immediate effect, so that the disease is brought under control.
Dr. Silver Abigaba, the Kabarole District Veterinary Officer, told Uganda Radio Network in a telephone interview that imposing the quarantine comes after more than 200 pigs died in Lyamabwa and Kahondo in Kisomoro Sub County and in some parts of Kibiito town council.
According to Abigaba, the infected pigs had diarrhorea, were vomiting and showing signs of high fever and died four days after.
Abigaba says that some of the pigs started dying last month and samples were collected and taken to laboratories and the results turned out to be positive.
He also says that on Friday, the veterinary department will start closing down all pork joints and butcheries in all parts of the district.
Francis Businge, the veterinary officer in-charge Bunyangabu County, says that some of the pigs which died belonged to beneficiaries of the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS).
Businge says that since there is no vaccine yet for African swine fever, people who have pigs, are advised to improve the hygiene and housing of pigs.
According to Businge, people in Bunyangabu County have been asked to confine their pigs and bury the dead ones instead of consuming them, to stop further spread of the disease.
Imposing the quarantine will affect the operators of pork joints who have been earning income through the sale of pork. Most of the pork consumed in Fort Portal town is from the sub counties of Kibiito and Kisomoro.
Moses Mugisa, a pork joint operator, says that the veterinary department should provide measures to check the spread of swine fever, so that the ban doesn’t take long.
Last year, quarantine was also imposed in Kabale district, where more than 1200 pigs were killed by the African swine fever. The ban was lifted last month.
