Cattle disease, lions invade Omoro, Amuru

Omoro. An outbreak of Black Quarter disease has killed 30 cattle and infected more than 50 animals in Omoro District, local authorities have reported.

The infectious bacterial disease reportedly broke out two months ago in the villages of Romkituku, Ajan and Olam all in Odek Sub-county.

The Omoro District veterinary officer, Dr Solomon Aliker, yesterday confirmed the outbreak but declined to divulge details, saying he needed authorisation from the chief administration officer first.
The sub-county chairperson, Mr Richard Okello Labongo, said the disease is threatening livestock farming in the area because it is highly contagious and fatal.

According to him, the district veterinary officials could not combat the spread of the disease at the onset of its outbreak until test results from the Uganda Virus Research Institute [UVRI] confirmed it two weeks ago.

“When animals started showing symptoms of swelling on their legs and lameness, we couldn’t do anything because little was known of the disease. This also made it easier for the disease to spread because vaccinations were not being conducted by then,” he said.
He noted that in the past two weeks, massive vaccination on animals has been ongoing.

Mr Labongo, however, said some of the farmers with many animals are shying away from the vaccination exercises because of a Shs3,000 levy, which they say is expensive.

He suggested that to help in curbing the spread of the disease to other neighbouring sub-counties and districts, the district leaders should put restriction on animal movement in and out of Omoro District.

Lions invade area
Meanwhile stray lions have invaded the districts of Amuru and Gulu and killed at least 11 cattle, leaving residents in panic.
The lions reportedly invaded the villages of Ogom Raa and Palulu in Okidi Parish, Atiak Sub-county in Amuru District, killing nine cattle. They also reportedly killed and ate two cows in Oroko Village, Palaro Sub-county in Gulu District.

Local leaders believe the lions could have crossed from East Madi Wildlife Game Reserve in Adjumani District while others are suspected to have strayed from Nimule National Park in Magwi County, in South Sudan.

Mr Simon Ogal Apire, the LC3 councillor for Okidi Parish, said the lions have so far killed nine cattle ever since they invaded the area.
He said the latest incidence happened on Friday last week.

“Our people are currently living in fear, they cannot access their farmlands, fetch water and firewood because they fear being attacked by the stray lions,” Mr Apire said.
He noted that the marauding lions have also affected businesses in most of the trading centres in the evening since locals prefer to keep indoors.

“These lions spend most of their times in Adodi Hills during day and by 6pm, they start moving within the villages in search for food. They move into villages where people keep livestock and attack them,” he said.

Mr Tonny Olinga, the Uganda Wildlife Authority commander for East Madi Wildlife Game Reserve, said their team has been on the ground for the last two weeks but that they have not been able to capture or drive away the lions.

Background

Black Quarter, also known as blackleg, is an acute infectious and highly fatal, bacterial disease of cattle that also affects sheep and goats.

The disease mostly affects young cattle between six and 24 months of age in good body condition. The disease is soil-borne infection which generally occurs during rainy season.

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