Self-treatment of livestock by farmers in Kitui County has been identified as the major contributor to anti-microbial resistance in both animals and humans.
County Chief Officer for Livestock Jonathan Kyambi encouraged farmers to take their livestock to veterinary officers for expert treatment.
“We are concerned that farmers are increasingly taken to treating their animals. They are doing so devoid of advice and ignorant of the actual ailment afflicting their livestock,” he said.
“If you are not a professional, please do not usurp that role as it is dangerous,” cautioned Kyambi.
He said ignorant farmers administer the wrong dose to their animals.
“Overdose can cause animal mortality while under dose would make the illness remain in animals’ bodies and therefore difficult to treat,” said the county livestock boss.
“If the sickness will remain within the animal body and thus be impossible to treat that is anti-microbial resistance. People consuming meat from the animals also suffer resistance to drugs,” Kyambi said.
He encouraged Kitui farmers to avail their animals during vaccination drives. “The jabs are always given by experts who are well trained and would not hurt livestock,” he assured.
He said there was a risk in taking the livestock to the market as soon as they were treated, adding that this can easily lead to sanctions in the international market.
