January 25, 2007

Livestock trade in Kenya's Meru banned over rift valley fever

Livestock trade in Kenya's Meru north district has been banned after the outbreak of rift valley fever in neighbouring Isiolo district.

Area livestock officer L M Arithi ordered all markets and stock routes in the district, especially along the Isiolo border, closed down with immediate effect.

The ban, he said was intended to prevent the spread of the disease.

In Kilifi district, the veterinary department has been vaccinating livestock against the fever. District veterinary officer Peter Kimondo clarified his officers were targeting only healthy animals and not sick. The latter were being given medicines, he said.

As part of government measures to contain the fever, slaughter houses in the district have been shut down and local people advised to buy meat only from licensed butcheries.

Rift valley fever is a fever-causing viral disease that affects livestock and humans in Africa.