By THE INDEPENDENT UG
Gulu, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Gulu District’s veterinary department has officially confirmed an outbreak of black quarter, an infectious and fatal bacterial disease affecting livestock.
The disease came to light when livestock farmers and local leaders reported it over the weekend in the villages of Patalira, Kal, and Pawel Angany, all located in Patiko Sub-County. More than a dozen animals in these areas exhibited symptoms.
Black Quarter disease is an acute and highly fatal bacterial illness in cattle. Its acute nature makes successful treatment challenging, but there is an effective vaccine available to provide animals with protective immunity.
Also known as black leg disease, black quarter is a severe acute ailment affecting cattle and sheep caused by Clostridium chauvoei. The disease is characterized by high fever and lameness, followed by swelling in the neck, shoulder, lumbar, gluteal, and sacral regions.
Alfred Opiyo, the Gulu District Veterinary Officer, reported to Uganda Radio Network on Tuesday that samples extracted from the suspected infected cattle tested positive for black quarter. Two cattle have already succumbed to the disease, with several others showing signs and symptoms.
Opiyo emphasized that Patiko Sub-County is prone to black quarter disease, particularly during the dry season when livestock graze closer to the ground surface.
He cautioned farmers against consuming the carcasses of infected animals, whether alive or dead, to curb the spread of the disease. Opiyo urged livestock farmers to vaccinate their cattle against black quarter, pointing out that this falls under diseases that the government doesn’t cover, and farmers are responsible for treatment expenses.
Patrick Komakech, the Patiko LCIII Chairperson, called for government intervention, advocating for free vaccines for farmers due to the rapid spread of the disease. He disputed claims that only two cattle had succumbed, stating that 12 had died so far, with 150 to 200 cattle showing symptoms in the villages of Patalira, Nenkityena, and Pawel Angany.
Gulu District Chairperson Christopher Opiyo Ateker assured that the district is addressing the outbreak by conducting sensitization within the community. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries (MAAIF) will be promptly informed of the situation.
Patiko Sub-County has a total of 8,956 cattle according to the 2021/2022 farmer profiling, out of the total 53,363 cattle in Gulu District.
In a related development, the Gulu District Veterinary Department is gearing up to commence mass vaccination of dogs and cats against rabies next week. This follows the disbursement of 5,000 doses of rabies vaccines to the district by MAAIF.
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