Government Implements Compulsory FMD Vaccination for Animal Health
The government has announced a compulsory vaccination program for all animals in districts affected by Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), as well as those at high risk of infection. Mr. Frank Tumwebaze, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (Maaif), revealed that Cabinet, chaired by President Museveni, approved the FMD control and eradication strategy on February 5.
The strategy includes immediate sourcing of 10 million doses of FMD vaccine to expand ring vaccination in affected and high-risk districts. A total of 36 districts have been identified as affected by FMD, including areas like Budaka, Bukedea, Gomba, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kabarole, Kayunga, Kibuku, Lwengo, Rakai, Rwampara, and Sembabule.
Furthermore, the Cabinet has banned the sale of unvaccinated animals in affected areas to prevent further spread of the disease. The strategy presented to the Cabinet includes measures such as ring vaccination around affected areas, animal movement control, closure of livestock markets, and quarantine measures to eradicate FMD in the country.
Mr. Tumwebaze informed Parliament that the country needs 88 million doses of FMD vaccines for bi-annual vaccination of susceptible animal herds, costing approximately $2 (Shs7,600) per dose. This translates to about $176 million (Shs673.4 billion) for conducting the vaccination exercise twice a year.
To kickstart the vaccination effort, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries reallocated funds from its development budget last year and provided 2.56 million vaccine doses to veterinary officers across 94 districts. However, the commencement of the mandatory vaccination exercise will depend on the duration of the procurement process, according to Ms. Charlotte Kemigyisha, the ministry’s public relations manager.
