Rabid camel kills two girls in Darfur’s Jebel Marra

Two girls have been killed by a rabid camel in East Jebel Marra. Many residents are concerned about the spread of rabies among animals in the area.

A witness reported from Mashrou Abu Zeid that “250 camels have been infected”. The rabies first spread among dogs, which have bitten camels and transferred the infection.

The witness told Radio Dabanga that a rabid camel killed Maryam Hamid Shogar (12 years) and Hamdan Eisa Bahraldein (17 years), by biting and crushing them.

“Residents are scared of animals, and fear that the rabies will spread,” the witness said. They informed authorities in Shangil Tobaya, Katur, and the military garrison in Khazan Tunjur about the incident and the spread of rabies. “They did not move to investigate the incident or contain the infection.”

This is not the first time rabies have spread among animals and humans in East Jebel Marra, terrorising the population. In September 2013, citizens of South Darfur were warned against buying meat from animals that were not slaughtered according to health regulations, for an outbreak of rabies among cows and camels.

One month later in Shangil Tobaya, people were infected with rabies after eating camel meat, and reportedly attacked residents.