FEAR ENGULFS FARMERS AS AFRICAN SWINE FEVER BREAKS OUT IN RUKUNGIRI

By Ambrose Kweronda

www.mknewslink.com

In Rukungiri—

Nyakishenyi sub county veterinary officer Geoffrey Kanyankore has banned the sale and movement of pigs in the sub county following a suspected outbreak of African swine fever in the area.

Speaking to our reporter yesterday, Kanyankore said that farmers in Nyakishenyi have so far lost over twenty pigs to the disease since last month.

The most affected areas are in the parishes of Katonya, Kafunjo, Rwanyundo, and Ngoma.

According to Kanyankore, the disease is incurable and can only be contained by stopping the movement of pigs from one place to another as well as prohibiting the slaughtering of pigs.

He cautioned residents to avoid eating pork from pigs that have died of the disease.

The signs of a sick animal are shivering, diarrhea, loss of appetite and sudden death.

Kanyankore urged local leaders to cooperate with the sub county authorities in implementing the ban to contain the disease while farmers are advised to stop outsiders from entering their pig farms.

Statistics indicate that Nyakishenyi sub county slaughters at least forty-nine pigs daily.

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