Thika West Sub-county veterinary officer Paul Ndarua has advised herders in Makongeni, Kiganjo, Kisii, Kiang'ombe, Athena and the surrounding areas to vaccinate their cattle against anthrax, black leg and Lumpy Skin Disease.
Ndarua who spoke in his Thika office on Friday said the three diseases are easily spread during heavy rains such as El Nino rains set to start soon.
While he noted that LSD is mostly spread by insects, he indicated that black leg and anthrax causative agents can be ingested by the animals while feeding in the grazing fields.
"We have heard situations not only in Kenya but elsewhere in Africa where cattle died in big numbers from the three diseases during heavy rains," said Ndarua.
He added: "This is why we would like to advise farmers and especially herders with big flocks and herds to take early precautionary measures and vaccinate their animals to avoid the risk of losing them".
The veterinary officer said vaccines are readily available in agrovets at affordable prices.