Wajir on high alert as deadly livestock diseases spread

The Livestock Department in Wajir has issued an alert regarding the outbreak of two contagious livestock diseases.

Farah Abdi Saman, the County Executive Committee Member for Livestock and Agriculture, raised concerns about the outbreak of Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), warning that these diseases could lead to significant economic losses for livestock farmers.

He stated that these severe, highly infectious diseases, which have a high mortality rate among goats and sheep, are suspected to have spread from the neighbouring Mandera County.

Farah cautioned livestock traders against purchasing animals from Mandera until the disease outbreak is contained.

"We recently had a case where a livestock trader from Wajir purchased 300 goats from Mandera, only to lose the entire herd. Investigations by Wajir veterinary officers confirmed that the deaths were caused by the contagious PPR," said the CEC.

He also noted that Wajir County currently lacks the budget to purchase livestock drugs for intervention until funds are released from the National Treasury by September.

"We can only provide veterinary doctors to the farmers, but we urge them to purchase the recommended drugs for confirmed cases," he added.

Farah further emphasised the need to impose quarantine measures on any suspected cases to contain the viral diseases.

Ahmed Aden Jelle, an official from the County Veterinary Services Department, stressed the importance of livestock farmers remaining vigilant and reporting any suspected cases.

"Both diseases are viral and could wipe out up to 85 per cent of your herd if quarantine measures are not imposed on suspected cases," he warned.

He urged the local pastoralist community to report signs such as fever, violent coughing, mucus discharge, and diarrhoea.