IGAD center for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD) convened a bilateral crossborder planning meeting between Kenya and Uganda from 4- 6th December 2019 in Lodwar, Turkana County, Kenya to develop a harmonized trans boundary animal diseases surveillance and vaccination calendar for 2020 between Kenya and Uganda . The one-day meeting focused on planning of harmonizing/ synchronizing prevention and control TADs in the shared cross border areas of Karamoja cluster that covers West Pokot and Turkana counties in Kenya and nine districts in Karamoja region of Uganda. The meeting had twenty three participants drawn from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (National and districts) Uganda, National/ County governments (Kenya), VSF-Germany- Kenya, Mercy Corps- Uganda and ICPALD.
The key actions conducted and recommended;
- A six month harmonized surveillance and vaccination calendar against common TADs was developed between West Pokot county & Amudat district and between Turkana county and Kaabong, Kotido and Moroto districts
- 5th December, 2019 – at Lokiriama ward, Loima sub-county, Turkana County, Kenya: Lomeyan Ewoi, Lokiriama ward administrator was nominated by the Agriculture CEC to launch the exercise at the cross border area with Uganda. Many pastoralists presented and had their livestock vaccinated against Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Peste Des Petits Ruminants (PPR). The animals were treated against various ailments and dewormed alongside the use of ectopour to control external parasites including ticks.
- 6th December, 2019, at Rupa Sub-County, Moroto district, Uganda: Vaccination against LSD and PPR was launched by Edward Echo on behalf of the Chief Administrative Officer, Moroto district.
- Similar and regular coordinated cross border vaccination will be advocated on both sides as per the agreed calendar
ICPALD acknowledges and aprreciates FAO for providing financial support.
