A cow suffering from the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The disease is a severe, highly contagious viral disease that affect cattle, sheep, goats and swine. [Photo: farmerstrend.co.ke]
The government has put in place measures to contain foot and mouth disease in the country, Livestock Permanent Secretary Andrew Tuimur has said.The PS noted the disease pose the greatest challenge to dairy and beef production in the country and therefore the need to be contained to cushion farmers from losses."We are working with county governments to ensure animals are vaccinated against the disease," the PS said speaking in Kapsabet, Nandi County.Tuimur said the disease results in the imposition of quarantines that negatively affect trade in animal and animal products, adding that its control will revitalise the country's performance in the East Africa Community."The government is committed to ensuring that we are competitive in the global market by complying with recommended health standards," he added.The government in February launched a new oil-based foot and mouth vaccine.The medicine cost farmers Sh215, and can only be administered once a year per animal rather than three times a year, as it used to be previously.