BY RICHARD MULIISA Government is paying close attention to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom near Perbright laboratory. “We have learnt a lesson on the possibility of bio-transmission in our country,” said Thoegene Rutagwenda, the Director of Rwanda Animal Resource Development Authority (Rarda). Rutagwenda said that government plans to have the first micro-biology laboratory. The possibility of bio-transmission that have been displayed in the United Kingdom makes it necessary to take precautions. He was reacting to reports that in UK, the disease found in livestock near the research facility was identical to the one stored at the laboratory for use in vaccine manufacturing. Rwanda was hit last year by an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in some areas of the Eastern Province. Though measures have been taken to control the spread of the virus in the country, including limiting animal movements and quarantine, some places are still under the threat. Rutagwenda said cattle trade outside the quarantine area, inadequate quarantine funding, late disclosure of information, and poor mobilisation as reasons for the spread of the disease. Ends
