By Sylvia Kugonza
The Kabarole District Local Government, has embarked on mass vaccination of cattle following the outbreak of lumpy skin disease also locally known as ‘Ebisuni Byente’.
According to the district principal veterinary officer, Dr. Henry Mulondo, the disease was first detected in Bunyangabu district and later in Kabarole district , areas of Mugusu, Hakibale,Rutete and Kasenda.
He adds, that the disease outbreak, has forced the district to embark on vaccination so as to prevent the spread of the disease in other areas in the district.
According to Dr Mulondo, Lumpy skin disease is very dangerous and expensive to treat in cattle, and that it can lead to abortion of a pregnant cow, disabilities, reduction in milk production, weight loss among others.
Lumpy skin disease he says, has signs and symptoms that include fever, diarrhea, dehydration and characteristic skin eruptions(rough skin) among others.
Dr. Mulondo, however encourages farmers, to embrace the vaccination exercise whereby a farmer is only required to pay 4000shs only.
What do the cattle Farmers say?
Patrick Mugisa, a farmer from Mugusu, has stated that his 5 cows have been affected by the lumpy skin disease and he has used at least 30000shs for treatment.
Hamis Baguma, who hails from Hakibaale, has also disclosed that the disease being too expensive to treat, he has found it difficult to raise funds to treat his infected cows. This according to him is likely to make him incur losses on his farm thus advises farmers to double consider vaccination to avoid all these expenses.
Baguma, states that he so far has four sick cows and thus asks government to intervene.
What is Lumpy Skin disease?
According to BMC Veterinary Research, Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an acute to sub-acute viral disease of cattle that is defined by fever, increased nasal secretions, enlarged lymph nodes, formation of nodules on the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs, edema of the skin and sometimes death
Visual explanation of Lumpy skin disease.
Dr. Henry Mulondo, the district principal veterinary officer Kabarole, explains Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), is a viral disease of cattle and water buffalo that causes relatively low mortality. The disease he says is spread primarily by biting insects such as certain species of flies, mosquitoes and possibly ticks.
As of 2018, a total of about 1161 outbreaks and 319, 355 cases of Lumpy skin disease were reported from 55 out of the 56 sampled districts in Uganda.
Related cattle diseases in Kabarole
Kabarole District last had foot and mouth disease in Rubona. This, was when Rubona was still part of Kabarole currently in Bunyangabu district, where 70 cows died. However, no cows were then registered to have died over lumpy skin disease.
The other diseases that could affect cattle include; (Brucella, salmonella, BVD) Symbolized by reproductive disorders such as abortions, infertility and prolonged calving intervals, then calf morbidity and mortality due to respiratory illness and loss in milk yield, lameness and swelling of joints symbolizing salmonella, BVD.
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