County Partner With 𝐊𝐄𝐌𝐑𝐈 to Carry Out Study on Mastitis
Livestock Chief Officer Mr. Nixon Cheplong, on Monday hosted a team of researchers from the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI).
The team is currently conducting a study on mastitis in Uasin Gishu, a county renowned fot thriving dairy industry.
This is the second time the KEMRI team has visited the county, the first being during the dry season.
During the courtesy call, Chief Officer expressed his appreciation for the team’s efforts in shedding light on this important issue.
According to Mr Cheplong, mastitis not only affects the health and productivity of dairy cows but also poses significant economic challenges for farmers.
He said that the research aims to provide valuable insights and guidance to farmers in Uasin Gishu.
Mr. Cheplong urged the researchers to advise farmers based on the samples they collect.
“This advice will be crucial in helping farmers prevent and manage mastitis effectively,” said Cheplong.
KEMRI senior Research Analyst, Susan Kavai, accompanied by National Laboratory Analyst Peris Sambili said that preliminary findings from their initial research indicates that over 60 percent of farmers in Uasin Gishu have cows that are infected with mastitis.
They said that an effort to gain a comprehensive understanding of this issue, they have now decided to conduct research during the wet season to compare the prevalence of mastitis in different weather conditions.
Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Philip Biama, appreciated the need for collaboration between the County Government, KEMRI research institute and dairy farmers.
Biama said through the joint efforts, the department will be able to develop sustainable strategies and interventions to combat mastitis and ultimately improve the overall health and productivity of dairy cows in the County.
Dr. Biama highlighted the importance of research in detectinh and addressing prevalent issues.
According to Biama implementing proper hygiene practices, such as regular cleaning and sanitization of equipment, proper milking techniques, and early detection and treatment of infected cows, farmers can significantly reduce the incidence of mastitis
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