KIGALI - Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority (RARDA) has urged livestock farmers to be vigilant during the rainy season in order to protect their animals from diseases associated with the rain.

Speaking to The New Times recently, RARDA’s Director General, Dr. Theogene Rutagwenda said that cases of miscarriages among animals are on the rise, especially in riparian districts.

"When the problem was reported during the last rainy season, we sent blood samples to Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Britain to determine the cause of the miscarriages,” Rutagwenda said.

"The first batch of results came back negative, but we are waiting for the next blood test results from Kenya to act accordingly.”

Rutagwenda added that districts neighbouring Nyabarongo, Akanyaru and Akagera rivers are the most affected.
When contacted the vice mayor in charge of finance in Gisagara district, Hesron Hategekimana, confirmed the development.

"They were first observed at the end of April and now more cases have been reported.” "At the beginning the most affected sector was Gishubi sector on the banks of River Akanyaru where 20 miscarriages were registered in one month.”

According to Rutagwenda the most affected districts are Ngoma, Bugesera, Kicukiro, Gisagara and Nyaruguru.

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