This archive report was first published on 14 October 2019.
Published on October 14, 2019, Nyandarua County is facing a new outbreak of foot and mouth disease, which has already led to the death of three cows and infected over 200 animals.
The disease, which is a transboundary infection from the neighbouring Nakuru County, has broken out in Kiriko village, Kanjuiri Ward, and has also hit Kanyiriri village in the same ward.
According to the Nyandarua County Director for Veterinary Services, Dr. Rose Oyolo, the disease is not a killer disease, but it has no cure. She added that some types of the disease also affect the heart muscles, which is the main cause of death in the affected animals.
Dr. Oyolo said that the department has put strategic preventive measures through vaccination, but the main challenge is the severe shortage of vaccine supply from the Kenya Veterinary Vaccine Production Institute, which is the only manufacturer in the country.
She also cited poor farmer turnout during vaccination campaigns, inadequate allocation of funds for disease control and prevention, and a severe shortage of vaccine as obstacles.
Dr. Oyolo emphasized that vaccination is the main way of preventing foot and mouth disease, but the lack of vaccine supply is a major challenge.
The Nyandarua County CEC for Agriculture, Dr. James Karitu, has assured the county and the country that there is no cause for alarm as things have been put under control.
“Through surveillance we have mapped the area and done ring vaccination where 800 cows have so far been vaccinated,” he said.
