Suspected swine flu kills 100 pigs

August 10, 2010

Monday, 9th August, 2010

By vision reporter

OVER 140 pigs have died in Binya and Ora-Pwoyo in Odek sub-counties in Gulu

district in the last one week following an outbreak of African swine fever.

According to a veterinary officer who declined to be named, the pig's skin turns

reddish and the pig produces a lot of saliva. This is followed by vomiting,

leading to paralysis and later death.

The locals said pig rearing is a major economic activity from which money to pay

fees or improve their livelihoods is obtained.

They have requested the veterinary department to vaccinate the pigs to stop the

deaths.

Ballam Obita of Ora-Pwoyo village narrated on Thursday that since last Sunday

when the disease broke out in the area, close to 70 pigs have died.

" The carcasses of the dead pigs are yellowish and the affected pigs vomit

terribly before dying. I have so far lost four of my pigs to the disease, " Obita

explained.

Another victim, Zakeo Okello, noted that since last week, a total of 72 pigs

have died from of the disease in Binya village only.

" Many pigs are dying in the bush and on road sides but the owners are not

interested in the carcasses. Some members of the community exchange the

carcasses for labour in the gardens. Some carcasses are being eaten by dogs, "

Okello stated.

The community suspects that the disease came from Lango. Last year, more than 50

pigs died in areas of Anaka and Amuru sub-counties in the Acholi sub-region as a

result of African swine fever.

The LC3 chairman of Odek sub-county, Mathew Olobo, said his attempts to prevent

the public from eating the carcasses of the dead pigs have failed.

Gulu district veterinary officer Dr. Okidi Ochora declined to comment on the

outbreak, saying his office had not got any report about the disease although

Olobo insisted that he informed the veterinary doctors about the outbreak.

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