Boost For Livestock Farmers As Uganda Moves To Introduce Anti-Tick Vaccine From Cuba

Minister Rwamirama (L) meeting Cuban Ambassador to Uganda, Antonio Luis Pubillones

Uganda is set to import anti-tick vaccine from Cuba. This was reached at during a meeting between the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Bright Rwamirama and the Cuban Ambassador to Uganda, Antonio Luis Pubillones held on October14, 2020 at the Ministry of Agriculture offices in Entebbe to discuss how best to use  Cuban technology in the fight against ticks.

“Cuba is currently using the GAVAC anti tick vaccine, an advanced technology that has significantly reduced the tick population in their country and stopped the economic losses due to tick borne diseases,” reads a statement from Ministry of Agriculture.

GAVAC has also reduced use of chemicals against ticks to 87 percent. The anti tick vaccine is the most effective and ecologically safe and sustainable.

“Plans are under way to introduce the Gavac vaccine into Uganda and focus will be on emergency farm interventions in selected acaricide resistant hard hit districts,” the Ministry said, adding: “Clinical field trials of the vaccine will enable its evaluation leading to registration and commercial viability in the country and labaratory efficacy testing.”