Farmers in Pader are counting losses after an outbreak of a suspected black quarter that has killed over 50 heads of cattle within one month of February to date.
Alex Opwonya, a livestock farmer at Lokaloye B village in Pakeyo Parish, Ajan Sub-County in Pader district, says he lost 6 head of cattle from his stock of 31 cattle to the deadly disease.
Opwonya says the cattle are presented with several signs including limping, discharge of fluids from their mouths and nose, rotting of the cattle from the chest before they collapse and die a few days after the illness. He added that a veterinary doctor from Kitgum confirmed to him the disease to be a black quarter.
According to Opwonya, the number of cattle that have so far died is over 50 as some are found dead in the bush due to the free-range system of grazing. He added that 2 heads of cattle were found dead near Ajan stream.
Aldo Nyeko, a farmer of Lokaloye B Village in Pakeyo Parish, Ajan Sub-County in Pader district, says he also lost 2 cows to the disease recently.
Christopher Mwaka, Ajan sub-county chairperson III confirmed the outbreak of the disease. He added that the number of dead animals is yet to be confirmed, though it exceeds 50 where some households head of cattle reported dead are more than 10.
Mwaka added that he notified Ajan sub-county veterinary officer known as Moreen, and nothing was done only to be told that farmers are not vaccinating their animals as required because of a fee they are subjected to.
Dr. Robert. S. Okeny, the Pader District Veterinary Officer, has recently warned farmers who are treating their animals without proper prescription by the veterinary officer. He attributed the increase in animal deaths to poor prescription.
David Eseru, Drugs and vaccines regular with Uganda National Drug Authority under veterinary sector urged farmers to report cases of infections early to veterinary officers. He added that they should avoid buying drugs from the market to control the outbreak of the disease.
Eseru further lamented that there are diseases that the government do pay the costs for treating, and this include; foot and mouth disease, rabies, black quarter, and Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP)
Black Quarter disease is an infectious bacterial disease most commonly caused by Clostridium chauvoei, a Gram-positive bacterial species. It is seen in livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats. Two years ago, the black quarter disease killed over 300 Heads of cattle in Pader district, majorly from Angagura sub-county.
Comments