Drought body moves to check Foot and Mouth outbreak in West Pokot

West Pokot, Kenya: National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) has allocated Sh4.8 million for vaccination of cattle against Foot and Mouth Disease in West Pokot County.

Animal health experts have blamed the disease and other livestock ailments for the death of 1000 cattle in West Pokot in the last five months. West Pokot NDMA Coordinator Gabriel Mbogho disclosed that the authority has procured 56,200 doses of the vaccine and that they will conduct a massive sensitisation campaign ahead of the inoculation of the animals.

He said veterinary officers confirmed presence of the disease in West and South Pokot sub-counties after pastoralists who had crossed into Uganda in search of water and pasture returned to the area.

Massive losses

Pastoralists say they have suffered massive losses following the death of the animals. According to Mbogho, the sensitisation will begin today while vaccination is expected to kick off on Friday.

"Veterinary officers have confirmed the presence of the disease in West and South Pokot regions, but there are rumours there may be an outbreak in Pokot Central. We are, however, prioritising the two sub counties where the outbreak has been confirmed," he said.

Last month, livestock farmers in Chepkobegh, Psurum and Shalpogh locations in Chepareria Ward also raised an alarm over death of their cattle from diseases they suspected were being transmitted by ticks.

Animal health experts from Nairobi and Eldoret later confirmed presence of East Coast Fever and Trypanosomiasis and collected samples for further tests.