Rwanda Agriculture Board: RVF Quarantine Lifted After Outbreak

• Rwanda's RVF quarantine remains in force as efforts to contain the outbreak gain momentum.
• Markets for cattle, goats, and sheep remain closed in the Eastern Province.
• Livestock supplies are now coming mainly from the Western and Southern provinces after testing negative for the disease.
• Community health workers are visiting households daily to check on animal conditions and report suspected cases.

The ongoing RVF quarantine is a significant development that continues to impact animal trade and commerce in Rwanda.

Rwanda's efforts to contain the Rift Valley Fever (RVF) outbreak among cattle, goats, and sheep have gained momentum with household and pasture inspections, as well as designated vaccination sites in villages. The New Times has reported that markets for these livestock remain closed, while bars and restaurants are only serving fish and chicken in the Eastern Province. This drastic measure is a result of the quarantine imposed by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) on June 26, which initially affected six districts: Rulindo, Burera, Gicumbi, Kirehe, Kayonza, and Rwamagana. The quarantine was later extended to the entire Eastern Province and several districts in the Northern Province.

The ongoing RVF quarantine is a significant development that continues to impact animal trade and commerce in Rwanda. Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of this update, as it could have far-reaching consequences for businesses involved in the livestock industry. The quarantine has already disrupted meat prices and supply chains, with livestock supplies now coming mainly from the Western and Southern provinces after testing negative for the disease.

The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) directed district authorities to strengthen disease control measures by ensuring immediate reporting of any animal suspected of infection or showing symptoms of RVF. This directive is part of a broader effort to contain the outbreak, which has already resulted in the deaths of over 100 cows in Ngoma District. Community health workers are playing a crucial role in this effort, visiting households daily to check on the condition of animals and provide reports on suspected cases.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for updates on the lifting of the RVF quarantine, which may impact animal trade and commerce in Rwanda.

Source: Original reporting via The New Times