Ibanda Municipality Declares animal quarantine following Foot and Mouth Disease Outbreak

Ibanda Municipality has declared an animal quarantine with effect from yesterday Wednesday 2nd June, 2021, following an Outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the district.

The disease which first broke out in Kiruhura a few months ago, is affecting animals including; cattle, goats, pigs and sheep.

Now, Dr. Isabel Mweheire the Veterinary Officer Ibanda Municipality says they are restricting movement and slaughter of animals.

According to a statement released by Dr. Mweheire, no animal movements, from, to and within Ibanda district is allowed. Farmers are encouraged to keep their animals where they are and not move between farms.

She adds that products from cattle, goats, sheep and pigs, i.e beef, mutton, pork, milk, animal skins/hides, manure, are banned from being moved within the district and that all slaughtering ends today 3rd June, 2021.

“If you have a function, wedding party, burial, etc, please contact the Veterinary Officer in your Sub county before you make decisions on slaughtering affected species of animals” she has advised.

Those paying Bride price and dowry have also been encouraged to make such payments in cash or wait for the quarantine to be lifted, so they can use animals again.

Locals have been encouraged to consume chicken, fish (if they must eat meats) and vegetables diets.

Ibanda is one of the districts where locals love to eat meat and the quarantine is expected to rub most of them badly. Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) or hoof-and-mouth disease (HMD) is an infectious and sometimes fatal viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals. The virus causes a high fever lasting two to six days, followed by blisters inside the mouth and on the feet that may rupture and cause lameness.