Dairy farmers in Ainabkoi Sub County, Uasin Gishu County have decried the recent outbreak of lumpy skin disease that has seen several cows in the area killed.
The farmers led by Joseph Rotich, John Magut and Samuel Biwott speaking in Eldoret on Friday said the viral disease which is characterized by swollen limbs, formation of foam from the mouth, eye lacrimation and lumpy skin has caused death to a number livestock causing them to incur huge losses in terms of milk production and other livestock products.
They appealed to the County Government to move with speed and arrest the alarming infection rate by imposing a quarantine so as to restrict the movement of livestock to and from the area.
They expressed concerns that if not checked, the disease may wipe out their main source of livelihood leaving them in abject poverty.
The Divisional Veterinary Officer Stephen Akunda cautioned the area residents against slaughtering affected animals for consumption and directed meat inspectors to be extra vigilant to eradicate contaminated meat accessing the market.
He further urged meat consumers to be careful when buying meat and to only buy from recognized suppliers so as to ensure that the meat is inspected to avoid the disease from spreading further to humans.
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