In collaboration with Mandera county’s department of veterinary services, we officially launched 8 days mass livestock treatment campaign towards the eradication of Camel disease reported in Banisa and Takaba sub-counties. The European Union (EU) funded Program is aimed at promoting economic development and greater resilience, particularly among vulnerable groups in the Mandera Triangle (Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia Border).
While Officially launching the program, Mandera Deputy Director Veterinary Services Dr. Claudio Sortum pointed out that camel is the single most valuable livelihood asset for pastoralists in Mandera County. The county has been experiencing an upsurge of camel diseases in the last 3 months after the rains. There have been over 100 camels’ deaths reported in this period. The morbidity of the disease is high and also its case fatality rate. Through our support the department has acquired drugs to carry out treatments in the most affected Sub-counties. The acquired drugs were based on the laboratory results so far received showing the presence of clostridium spp in whole blood in the areas of (Warankara,Ashabito,Ogorwein) and the microscopy that showed presence of Trypanosomiasis in areas of Dobu,Dandu,Bolowle,Kobu turitu. The surveillance team also noted the presence of Glossina spp(tse tse fly) and other biting flies(Tabanus) in mentioned areas.There also symptomatic treatment as we await definitive diagnosis from the laboratory. There are also suspected cases of parainfluenza.
Mandera West and Banisa sub-counties are the hardest hit areas by Camel disease in Mandera County. Our Livelihoods Manager Mr. Ali Issack urged residents to take advantage of the program and treat their Camels in large numbers to avert any further loss of Livestock to the disease.