Uganda's Animal Health Initiative: A Comprehensive Approach to Foot-and-Mouth Disease Control
KAMPALA, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Uganda is taking a bold step towards safeguarding its livestock industry by implementing a nationwide vaccination program targeting approximately 44.5 million animals against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). This proactive strategy, set to commence early next year, aims to revolutionize the country's approach to managing this highly contagious viral disease.
In a recent statement, Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries, Bright Rwamirama, unveiled the details of this ambitious initiative. The campaign, scheduled for the January-February period, will be conducted twice annually, marking a significant shift from the current outbreak-driven ring vaccination and targeted immunization in high-risk zones.
Rwamirama emphasized the limitations of the existing control measures, which have failed to prevent recurrent FMD outbreaks. These outbreaks have severe consequences, including restricted animal movements, limited market access, and reduced productivity. The current approach, he noted, covers only about 10 percent of the susceptible animal population, leading to frequent flare-ups.
The proposed alternative, the 'test and slaughter' method used in FMD-free countries, is not feasible for Uganda due to its high cost, social disruption, and incompatibility with the country's endemic scenario. Instead, Rwamirama advocates for a comprehensive strategy involving sustained, large-scale preventive vaccination, coupled with movement control and biosecurity measures.
Farmers will play a crucial role in this initiative by sharing the costs with the government. They will bear the expenses for the vaccines, while the government will cover the costs associated with vaccinators, storage, logistics, surveillance, and oversight. This collaborative approach ensures a more effective and sustainable solution to FMD management.
Foot-and-mouth disease poses a significant threat to cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, buffaloes, antelopes, and other wild ruminants. Uganda's recent experiences with FMD outbreaks, affecting over 40 districts in 2023, highlight the urgency of this initiative. The government's comprehensive vaccination campaign, covering 136 districts in May 2024, is a testament to its commitment to protecting the country's livestock industry.
