An alarming outbreak of an unknown disease affecting small ruminants has been reported in Uganda.

The situation in the Kagadi district

. The outbreak has been reported in the Kisungu and Kataramwa parishes of Nyakarongo sub-county. Farmers are reporting mass deaths, despite vaccinations and calls for assistance from neighboring districts. According to them, symptoms in affected animals include depression, fever, nasal and ocular discharge, mouth ulcers, and difficulty breathing.Coughing , foul-smelling diarrhea, and sudden death . These symptoms are of serious concern, as they may indicate the presence of a highly contagious viral disease.

Possible Causes of the Disease

Veterinary experts are considering several possible diagnoses. One of the most likely is peste des petits ruminants (PPR), an acute viral disease caused by a morbillivirus. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), mortality among goats infected with PPR can reach 30–70%. Although the disease is not dangerous to humans, it causes significant economic losses, leading to livestock mortality and decreased productivity.

Another possible disease is contagious ecthyma virus (Orf), which also affects sheep and goats. This infection causes painful lesions around the mouth and nostrils and can be transmitted to humans through contact with animals or contaminated objects. In humans, the disease manifests as painful skin lesions on the hands and fingers, requiring medical attention.

Authorities' response and control measures: Kagadi County

Veterinary Officer Reuben Kiggundu Kawagga reported that no official notification of the outbreak has been received yet, but he promised to investigate and take necessary measures. Authorities recognize that further losses could seriously harm households for whom goats and sheep remain an important source of income and food.

Farmers, in turn, are deeply concerned about the future of their farms. Many depend on small ruminants not only for income but also as an important source of nutrition for their families. With diseases becoming increasingly common, it is important for veterinary services and the government to work to improve animal HEALTH monitoring and control.

The outbreak of an unknown disease in Uganda highlights the importance of effective veterinary control and a rapid response to threats to livestock production. Not only measures to combat the current outbreak are needed, but also long-term strategies to improve animal health, raise farmer awareness, and implement modern vaccination methods. It is crucial that international organizations such as OIE and FAO continue to support efforts to eradicate diseases like PPR by 2030, thereby protecting both animals and the people who depend on them.