Nairobi: The Uasin Gishu County Department of Livestock has intensified surveillance and vaccination campaigns to contain a resurgence of black water anthrax and an outbreak of lumpy skin disease as prolonged drought continues to expose livestock to disease and feed shortages.
According to Kenya News Agency, Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Philip Biama said all six sub-counties and 30 wards, with a livestock population of more than 450,000 animals, are at risk as deteriorating pasture and water availability increase the spread of diseases.
Speaking during an interview, Dr. Biama said black water anthrax, a disease that can remain dormant in the soil for decades, has resurfaced after prolonged dry conditions left grazing fields bare. He explained that under normal conditions, thick grass cover prevents animals from coming into contact with dormant disease spores. However, the current drought has forced livestock to graze close to the ground, increasing exposure to the bacteria.
The county is also battling lumpy skin disease, which has persisted for nearly two months and continues to affect cattle production. To curb its spread, the county has deployed veterinary officers to all wards to vaccinate livestock. More than 100,000 cattle have already been vaccinated against a target of 350,000. Dr. Biama attributed the rapid spread of the disease to overcrowding at grazing fields and watering points caused by acute shortages of pasture and water.
The drought has already affected farmers’ livelihoods through declining milk production, reducing household incomes for many families that depend on dairy farming. Dr. Biama urged livestock keepers not to lose hope despite the harsh conditions, but instead report suspected disease outbreaks promptly to veterinary officers or ward administrators to facilitate timely treatment and vaccination.
Director of Livestock Production Abraham Kiptanui warned that the effects of the drought could extend well beyond the current season if rainfall remains below normal. He said even farmers who had adopted climate-smart practices such as fodder production and silage making were facing challenges because maize crops had failed to produce sufficient cobs required for quality silage.
Kiptanui advised farmers to invest in long-term fodder conservation, saying households with adequate feed reserves are better placed to withstand prolonged dry spells than those relying solely on natural pasture.
