Over 2,000 goats lost to new livestock disease

By Robert Kiplagat

Veterinary officer says they have done tests and are still waiting for results, but vaccination is being done 

Pastoralists in Marigat District have suffered heavy losses from a disease outbreak that has killed over 2,000 goats.

The affected villages include Kasiela, Arabal, Chebinyiny, Nyimbei and Kapkechir where farmers have reported a mysterious goat disease a month ago.

Some farmers told The Standard the infected animals disease had symptoms such coughing, running nose and saliva oozing from the mouth.

Mr Wilson Wendot, a farmer in Kasiela, who has so far lost 60 goats to the disease, said the disease is highly contagious and kills within few days after infection.

“We have incurred huge losses from this disease and some farmers risk being poor as they depend on livestock for their livelihood,” he said.

Wendot accused the Ministry of Livestock of ignoring their plight despite reporting to the Divisional Veterinary Officer (DVO) in Marigat division.

“We reported the outbreak to the veterinary officer in Marigat, who then visited the area, carried samples but he has never come back with the findings leaving the farmers in dilemma,” he said.

Act swiftly

The farmers have asked relevant Government authorities to act swiftly to save them from more losses.

Marigat DVO, Julius Cheruiyot acknowledged the complaints, adding that the provincial veterinary office in Nakuru had taken the samples and was still waiting for the results.

He said according to the symptoms, they suspect it to be Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a new goat and sheep disease.

“The exact disease is yet to be confirmed but we suspect it to be PPR and we have started vaccinating goats in the affected areas to prevent more deaths,” he said.

He asked farmers to take their goats and sheep for vaccination.