UNDIAGNOSED DEATHS, DONKEY – SUDAN: (SOUTH DARFUR) ACUTE RESPIRATORY
DISEASE, FATAL, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Tue 12 Nov 2024
Source: Al-Rakuba [in Arabic, trans. Mod.SF, edited]
https://urls.fr/ZU6ikH
More than 800 donkeys have died in Baram and some other localities in
South Darfur state in western Sudan. Over the past few days, a
mysterious epidemic has been spreading among donkeys, raising concerns
about the spread of the disease and its impact on their economic
resources, especially in light of the heavy reliance on donkeys as a
primary means of transport in the region.
In her interview with Radio Dabanga, veterinarian Dr. Saida Mohamed
Hussein explained that the disease presents with symptoms including
general lethargy, poor appetite, and nasal discharge that turns yellow
within a day or two. Dr. Saida noted the donkeys’ weak response to
available treatments, attributing this to the owners’ inability to
adhere to full treatment doses due to financial constraints, which has
reduced the treatment’s effectiveness in curbing the spread of the
outbreak.
According to Dr Mohamed Nasser Ahmed, director of livestock in Baram
locality, the spread of the disease required wide attention from the
community and the authorities. A conference was held recently in Nyala
at the initiative of the private sector to discuss the issue
extensively, as it turned out that the disease is also spreading in
other localities in the state, he said. Specialists have speculated
that the spread of the disease may be caused by the donkey and horse
flu virus.
Dr. Nasser called on citizens to take care of their animals and assist
authorities in disposing of dead donkeys through burial or burning, to
protect the environment from transmitting infections to humans. He
stated that the treatment protocol for this disease relies on
addressing secondary symptoms, such as boosting immunity and reducing
fever.
Dr. Nasser highlighted the importance of donkeys for poor communities,
as they are a primary means of transportation in rural areas. He
called for an epidemiological survey in the Baram locality and
neighboring areas, as well as for sending samples abroad for diagnosis
of the disease.
He emphasized that the war has contributed to the destruction of the
livestock infrastructure in the state, making the situation more
complex. He appealed to local and international organizations to
intervene to save the equine resources in the state, as they have the
capacities and resources needed to overcome the challenges and provide
essential support to local communities.
South Darfur State urgently needs intervention to curb the spread of
the mysterious epidemic affecting equines. This requires strengthening
owners’ ability to provide treatment, implementing animal safety
protocols, and raising community awareness on proper handling of
deceased donkeys to ensure environmental preservation and public
safety.