Disease hits donkeys again in Central Darfur

Dozens of donkeys have died of a mysterious disease in Nierteti locality, Central Darfur, last week. A donkey owner reported to Radio Dabanga from Nierteti that last week a mysterious disease broke out in the locality. “More than 40 donkeys died, 32 around Nierteti town, and 10 at Khor Ramla”. “Suddenly the donkeys could not eat or drink anymore, and started shivering. After a day or two they fell dead”, the donkey owner explained. Veterinary authorities in the locality have confirmed that so far the causes of the disease are unknown. “They said that they would take samples of the infected donkeys to send for tests in Central Darfur’s capital of Zalingei.”On 24 february Radio Dabanga reported that an unknown disease spread among donkeys in the Nierteti South camp for the displaced. Of the then 146 animals infected, 36 died within a week. The symptoms were coughing, weakness, appetite and weight loss. Veterinary authorities advised to vaccinate the donkeys, but the displaced could not afford the vaccination costs. Radio Dabanga reported on 12 February that about 75 percent of the children living in Deleig camp, Central Darfur, were infected with a mysterious disease. The disease affected children below the age of 12 years and donkeys. Four days later, 15 children and 47 donkeys had died. File photo: FAO officers conduct a medical treatment for animals in Kuma Garadayat, North Darfur, May 2011 (Albert González Farran/Unamid) Related: Unknown disease strikes donkeys in Central Darfur’s Nierteti (24 February 2014) ‘Mysterious disease’ in Central Darfur kills 23 children (23 February 2014) Central Darfur children stricken by mystery disease (12 February 2014)