Livestock diseases rising in counties hit by drought

 

More than 10 counties affected by drought have reported an increase in livestock diseases, raising fears of more fatalities among the animals.

The National Drought Management Authority is now calling for urgent support towards the pastoralists, most of whom are on their way back to their settlements.

This came as the authority noted that forage conditions in ASAL counties showed great improvement when compared to that of April.

In a report, NDMA said 12 counties were affected by disease outbreak.

These are Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River, Baringo, Turkana, Kajiado, Kilifi, Meru North, Narok and West Pokot.

“Suspected cases of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia, Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia, Pest Petis Ruminantes and foot and mouth diseases were reported in these counties,” the authority said.

To assist affected communities, the authority said the government had up-scaled provision of food and cash transfers targeting households which are currently food insecure.

“The authority is calling for facilitation of safe migrations for the pastoralists moving back to their settlements and treatment and vaccination against emerging livestock diseases,” NDMA said.

Forage in 75 per cent of the ASAL counties is good, while browse condition is good in 83 per cent compared to the previous month.

“However, the current pasture and browse conditions are below normal as compared to normal years,” the report said.

Livestock body condition for cattle is fair at 48 per cent and good at 52 per cent in the arid and semi-arid counties.

The body condition for goats is fair at 39 per cent and good at 61 per cent.

“Generally, the current body condition of most livestock is above normal in comparison to similar periods, and this is due to good improvement in vegetation,” the report said.

Earlier, CS Rebecca Miano said the government had released an additional Sh2 billion to secure relief food and distribution for the affected counties.

NDMA will provide livestock feed supplements and implement water-related interventions with funding from the National Drought Emergency Fund and the European Union.

The ministry is dispatching 60,480 50kg bags of livestock feed supplements worth Sh145m to eight ASAL counties.

“We have already dispatched feeds to Kitui, Makueni, Kajiado, Marsabit and Isiolo, and are finalising logistics for dispatch to Mandera, Wajir and Nyeri counties,” Miano said.   BY THE STAR