The Department of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Fisheries has vaccinated a total of 575 cattle against lumpy skin disease amid fears of an outbreak of the disease in West Pokot.
The exercise led by Agriculture CECM Wilfred Longronyang covered Emboasis A and Emboasis B in Kapenguria Ward.
Longronyang expressed the government’s commitment to safeguard farmers against losses that arise due to diseases that can be prevented through vaccination.
He called on the farmers to collaborate with the government during such vaccination programs that happen periodically.
The elders, who are majority livestock farmers, lauded the government for initiating the program, saying for some time they have been losing their stock to diseases that are preventable.
“This is a worthwhile initiative by the government and us urgent animal experts to continue doing routine surveillance so as to help livestock farmers improve their production,” said James Rotich.
Lumpy skin disease is a viral infection that attacks cattle, causing fever, hypersalivation, and characteristic skin eruptions.
By Richard Muhambe
