The risk factors associated with FMD and CBPP outbreaks in Uganda’s cattle corridor

Abstract

Livestock contributes significantly to the world economy. In the rural communities in Africa livestock provide; household source of income, food, manure, draught power, hides and skins, and bride price and a safety net to resource poor farmers and traders along the value chain. FMD and CBPP impact livestock production and trade of livestock and livestock products through production losses, high mortality in calves, food security effects, and hindering improved market access. A three tiered survey to assess the risk factors associated with FMD and CBPP outbreaks in Uganda’s cattle corridor was conducted in a value chain context aided by a structured questionnaire. At production level, unrestricted livestock movements (Mean=6.373), communal grazing (Mean=5.456) and sharing watering points (Mean=5.325) were the most important risk factors associated with FMD and CBPP outbreaks in the study areas. At traders level, the most important risk factors associated with FMD and CBPP were mixing cattle from different herds and markets and not following stock routes (Means=6.09), unrestricted livestock movements (Means=5.82) and overcrowding the livestock markets and poor 38 veterinary inspection in the livestock markets (Means=5.13) and lack of waste management facilities (Mean=6.00) at processing. Unrestricted livestock movements, mixing cattle from different herds and lack of waste management facilities at the slaughter places were the most important risk factors associated with FMD and CBPP outbreaks. Involving stakeholders; farmers, traders, processors, policy makers and neighboring countries in East Africa to control livestock movements is essential if Uganda’s efforts to control FMD and CBPP are to bear fruits.