Murang’a on high alert over outbreak of animal disease
Livestock farmers in Murang’a have been put on high alert following an outbreak of foot and mouth and lumpy skin diseases in the area.
William Mwangi, the county director for veterinary services said Mathioya and Gatanga sub-counties are the worst hit by the outbreak.
Mwangi said the county government has started the vaccination exercise for the animals to curb the spread of the diseases.
“As part of the intervention, we have rolled out a vaccination program in all the eight sub-counties but the two which have been affected will get the priority,” said the director. “We have engaged both the government and private veterinary officers who will be going door to door so as to reach out to all the farmers.”
He pointed out that in Ithanga, lower Gatanga the outbreak has been contributed by the movement of animals from the neighbouring counties as the herders look for pasture in the area.
“The animals coming to this area are not vaccinated and this increases the risk of spreading the disease,” remarked Mwangi. Mwangi said the diseases are viral and have no cure and the vaccine can only help suppress the virus once the animal contracts it.
“The diseases barely kill the animals if intervention is made at the right time though they might take a longer period to recover,” he said.
