This article was published in the New Vision Newspaper (online) of 9th May 2020. I am heavily indebted to them.
“Kalantini” as some people jokingly refer to quarantine on social media (in Uganda) is now a household word thanks to COVID-19. Quarantine is an action, usually taken for disease control, in which humans or animals suspected or confirmed to be suffering from an infectious, often communicable, disease have their movements from one point to another highly restricted. It also applies to those who may not be sick but have had contact with the sick or infected material as they are believed to be able to transfer the disease-causing germ from one place to another. The ultimate purpose of quarantine is to prevent spread of disease to susceptible individuals who would in turn transmit it to others and so on. The multiplier effect – one case infecting several individuals – would lead to disastrous consequences as the national disease management and control system would be overwhelmed!
While to many, quarantine is a word that came with COVID-19, among animal rearing communities it is common. This is so because movement control through instituting quarantine is one of the key measures undertaken to prevent spread of highly contagious animal diseases of economic and public health importance. Examples of such diseases are Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and African Swine Fever (ASF). Both these diseases of animals are viral and have no known cure. Unlike FMD which has a vaccine, ASF does not so when it strikes, 100% death of pigs that get into contact with infected ones or virus-contaminated material will be the most likely result. In such a case an effective quarantine would save the highly susceptible national herds.
Similar to COVID-19, discipline and adherence to established guidelines are vital in the control of infectious animal diseases. It is complicated further by the fact that infected animal products, inanimate objects or even humans can carry germs from one farm to another. Contaminated vehicle tyres, animal health workers’ shoes and/or clothing, farm implements, and contaminated hands of farmers or animal handlers or careless veterinarians have been implicated. While quarantine restricts movement of animals, human activity can fail its purpose completely. The attitude of humans contributes significantly to failure of quarantine hence the difficulty in animal disease control. Whenever government stops animal movement and closes all cattle markets in an affected area, some “stubborn” individuals defy the guidance and move animals (including infected ones) from an area with infection to one without or from a non-infected area through an area with infection. This illegal act does not only fail government efforts to control the spread of disease but also metes a heavy undeserved economic blow on often innocent farmers whose animals acquire infection due to the carelessness of some individuals.
It is my hope that the COVID-19 situation has improved our appreciation of the need for and the benefits of observing quarantine guidelines in the animal sector. Key among the lessons that ought to be borrowed is vigilance and coordinated actions of the network of leaders at all levels. Also important is the keenness and cooperation of the community. Applying these, among others, will reduce economic losses suffered due to infectious transboundary animal diseases.
Control of infectious diseases enhances optimal performance, the precursor of increased benefits. Animals benefit humans in various ways, including but not limited to, food security, improved nutrition, financial income, draft power, cultural mileage, research, tourism, recreation, psychosocial support, security and prestige. Every citizen therefore ought to be responsible enough to adhere to guidelines and practices that improve animal health. Each one of us should report disease to veterinary professionals promptly and adhere to their guidance on quarantine, vaccination schedules and disease-preventive husbandry practices. Additionally, we should ensure that no animal or material moves from an affected farm to another. Sanitize vehicle tyres and veterinary professionals’ personal protection equipment as they move between farms.
Remember, President Yoweri Museveni recently said, “God cannot just be here in Uganda looking after idiots”. And may I add, “and their animals”.
Samuel G. Okech
Member, Uganda Veterinary Board (UVB)
Ambassador, African Small Companion Animal Network (AFSCAN)
Past President, Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA)
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