MidnightWatcher – Prophecy in Motion

By Mathews Ndanyi and Janet Yego, allAfrica – “The government will vaccinate livestock in Kerio Valley where a disease outbreak suspected to be East Coast Fever has killed more than 1,300 animals in three weeks. Bernard Mwenga who is in charge of Disease Control at the Ministry of Livestock says they are waiting for test results on the disease’s identity before beginning the exercise. The outbreak has been reported in Marakwet East and West, Pokot Central and East Baringo districts all located in the Kerio Valley.

Marakwet West district livestock and veterinary officer Dr Joseph Keying confirmed that the outbreak has been reported in the region but could not give details on the number of animals that have died. ‘The symptoms indicate the disease to be East Coast Fever. We have sent officers to the ground to establish the situation before we put in place control measures,’ said Keying.

Yesterday Mwenga said they feared the disease could affect the livestock and meat market hence the decision to carry out the vaccination. Keying said the disease is spread by ticks especially during the rainy season. The valley has experienced heavy rains in the last few month. East Coast Fever is prevalent in East and Central Africa. The ticks host the parasite responsible for the disease. Indigenous cattle are more resistant to the disease than their foreign counterpart.

However reports from Kerio indicate that both have died from the mysterious disease. ‘It is unfortunate that farmers have lost livestock. They ought to be sensitised about control measures,’ said Keying.” Read more.