International Journal of Animal Science, Husbandry and Livestock Production (IJASHLP) (2141-5191), Vol. 7(2), pp. 377-388, March, 2021. © Advanced Scholars Journals

Full length Research paper

A qualitative hazard evaluation of factors contributing to increase of foot and mouth disease through Cattle markets in western Kenya

Onduso R¹, Onono JO¹, Ombui JN¹ and Ochami AE²

¹Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053 – 00625.

²Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture and natural resources management, Kisii University, P.O. Box 408 – 40200.

Accepted 21st November, 2020

Abstract

There has been a surge in the number of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreaks in western Kenya between the years 2016 and 2018. A qualitative risk assessment was done to investigate the role played by cattle markets in maintenance of these outbreaks. The specific objective of the study was assessment of factors contributing to spread of FMD through cattle markets in Western Kenya. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Additional data collection was done through focus group discussions guided by checklist questions and secondary data obtained through review of published and grey sources of literature. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) framework was adapted for this study. The conduct of selected cattle markets was assessed to determining the risk for release and exposure of FMD virus during cattle trade. The study shows there was high risk of spreading FMD virus through cattle marketing activities. Inadequate facilitation of veterinary department, trade on non-vaccinated cattle, cattle evaluation practices, cattle movement without permits, trekking cattle for long distances, lack of isolation of traded cattle at farms and visiting of many livestock markets within short period, were identified as risk practices which could increase the risk of FMD spread. This study recommend that some risk management measures’ needs to be put in place, these include adequate resource allocation to the veterinary department, subsidizing of the strategic cattle vaccinations, provision of market place facilities and creation of awareness among traders on the roles they play in cattle disease control and management.

Key words: Risk assessment, Foot and Mouth Disease, Market conduct, Western Kenya.