TSETSE FLY OUTBREAK IN BONDO

Jan 29, 2015 William Adoyo National, News, Regional 0

Residents of Central Sakwa in Bondo Sub-County have raised an alarm over the outbreak of Tsetse fly infestation causing fear of contracting Nagana disease.

Led by Mzee Barrack Dida Mito, they expressed fear that they are likely to lose their livestock if immediate action is not taken by Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to curb the situation in the region.

We are going to lose our livestock to Tsetse Fly if these drastic measures are not taken by the individuals charged with these responsibilities to see the area is sprayed if there is any such outbreak, said Mzee Mito

Mzee Mito added that even human beings are not spared by these flies since they also attack people living in this area especially those residing along the lake regions, adding that they risk of suffering from Sleeping Sickness.

Speaking to Kisumu News at Nango Market Centre, Mzee Mito therefore appealed to the County Government of Siaya to come in to their rescue to find possible means of controlling the menace before it gets out of hand to prevent further problems.

We want the office of the governor to come and spray this tsetse fly before we human beings contract these diseases caused by it, said Mito

The area Ward Representative Johannes Andiego admitted that Tsetse fly outbreak is indeed now threatening the area and they are working hard in the parliament to bring laws that will help the rapidly tsetse fly strike region.

Andiego said that he had informed the county livestock and disease control department over the same but action is soon to be taken.

The community are said to be living in fear of contracting Sleeping Sickness, and Nagana disease in animals following the resurgence of tsetse flies in their locality.

A concentration of the big biting flies has been noted along the beaches of Nango, Liunda, Wagusu and Uyawi besides other small beach areas.

The treatment of Trypanosiamisis, the scientific name for Sleeping Sickness is complex and prolonged, which calls for concerted Government efforts to control the spread.

The re-emergence of tsetse flies in Nango was aided by slackening down of previous efforts against the menace. Before, bushes along the beaches where the flies were likely to breed were sprayed.

This comes after six years when Sarah Obama was appointed in 2009 by Pan Africa and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Campaign (PATTEC) to serve as the good will ambassador to eradicate tsetse flies in her region, reminding all that the tsetse is the vector for Sleeping Sickness in humans and Nagana disease in animals, causing untold damage in her village, but its seen re-emerging again.