Busaa to treat Foot and Mouth Disease in cows, is it drunk or sober idea?

Farmers in Rongai, Nakuru county have been forced to use "busaa", local brew, to contain foot and mouth disease outbreak. [Sarah Otieno| Standard]

Last week, there were reports in The Standard that farmers in Rongai were using a traditional brew – busaa to treat Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The area veterinary doctor is yet to confirm whether there is a real FMD outbreak. However, the story elicited a lot of reaction from Smart Harvest readers with many asking me whether busaa can be used to treat FMD.

I will address that dizzying question today. Diseases have many causes; they can be caused by micro-organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa among others. Other diseases are caused by deficiencies in nutrition while others are congenital meaning they are caused by genetic abnormalities.