Authorities say that foot and mouth disease has killed over 2000 cattle in the last two months in Jonglei State’s Twic East County.
“The disease known as foot and mouth disease normally starts with wounds at the foot and mouth of the cow and this could not allow cows to be moving out for grazing,” explained Twic East County Commissioner Dau Akoi Jurkuch. “The cow will die immediately.”
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Dau warned that over 3,000 cattle in the various cattle camps are infected and that without treatment will perish.
He said there has been no assistance from government or NGOs to carry out vaccination campaigns but he hopes help will arrive soon.
The Commissioner said he raised his concerns with the State Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries but has yet to receive a response. Radio Tamazuj was unable to reach the ministry for comment.
Dau said that Twic East has received over 85,000 cattle from Lakes State, where cattle keepers fled to escape violence in Jonglei last year, but denied the cattle disease had come from Lakes.
However, he said there is a risk that cattle returning to Twic East from Lakes may become infected.
Dau said Twic East daily receives cattle from Awerial county in Lakes, Warrap’s Twic county, as well as Duk and Bor counties in Jonglei.