A recent outbreak of swine fever in Kyotera District has caused significant losses to pig farmers, with numerous animals succumbing to the disease.
Breeders in the district have reported that the affected pigs first exhibit signs of fever, lose their appetite, and stop eating. The disease then progresses rapidly, killing the animals in a matter of days.
The hardest-hit areas include Kalisizo, Kirumba, Nabigasa, and Kabira, where the outbreak has been particularly severe. Farmers are struggling to contain the situation, with many reporting heavy financial losses.
In addition to swine fever, some parts of the district have also recently been hit by anthrax, which has claimed the lives of over 250 animals, including cattle and pigs, and tragically, more than 38 people.
Emmanuel Mutyaba, the chairman of Ninzi village in Kalisizo, described the devastating speed of the disease's progression in pigs.
“When a pig is infected with swine fever, it becomes ill within three days and dies. Sometimes you will only realize they are sick a few hours before they die the disease kills them very quickly,” Mutyaba explained.
Mutyaba added that the financial toll has been immense for farmers in the region, who had invested heavily in their livestock. He expressed frustration over the rising costs of feeding and caring for the animals, only to lose them to disease.
“A bag of maize bran now costs Shs. 600, and when you add the cost of pesticides and other treatments, the loss is staggering,” he said.
Other farmers are experiencing similar devastation. Walakira John, a local farmer, revealed that he recently lost 60 pigs to the disease and fears he will lose more.
“My pigs are dying every day, and now I don’t know how to continue. I’ve lost so much already,” Walakira lamented.
Gertrude Namagembe, the district veterinary officer for Kyotera, stated that they are investigating the cause of the pig deaths but have not yet determined if swine fever is responsible.
“We are still investigating what is killing pigs in Kalisizo. Once we confirm the disease, we will institute appropriate measures to control the outbreak,” Namagembe said.
Namagembe emphasized that if swine fever is confirmed, the authorities will enforce a quarantine and take steps to treat any secondary infections among the affected animals. For now, farmers in Kyotera are left anxiously awaiting answers as the disease continues to spread.