Clostridia disease attacks cattle, kills 500 in Kazo district

By Our Reporter

26^th Jan 2023

Livestock farmers in Kazo district are counting losses after Clostridia diseases killed more than 500 cattle.

Clostridia diseases that include Tetanus, Blackleg, pulpy Kidney, and Black disease is caused by bacteria of the genus Clostridium called anaerobic and spreads widely in the environment, particularly in soil, fecal matter, and are common during the dry season.

They form highly resistant spores that can survive in the environment for very long periods.

Cattle farmers say the sick animals present with a loss of weight and appetite, and when it dies the lungs produce a lot of water and the meat turns yellow.

Dr. Ronald Kiyemba, the Kazo District Veterinary Officer says that 571 cows have died in three months from Clostridia diseases.

Dr. Kiyemba adds that the disease was first reported in October last year in Rwemikoma Sub-County and the next cases were recorded in Engari Sub County and it has since then spread to other sub-counties of Kazo, Buremba, Nkungu, Kanoni, and Kazo town council.

Kiyemba says they had stopped vaccination after losing more cattle and resorted to using OX drug and later vaccinating with the clostridia vaccine twice to protect the cattle.

Last week the Kazo District Member of Parliament, Dan Kimosho raised the issue as a matter of national importance on the floor of Parliament, and the Speaker of Parliament, Anitah Annet Among tasked the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) to make a thorough study on the attack of the diseases in the cattle corridor across the country.