Tear Fund Field vet. Officer reported to
FAO that there are deaths among donkeys in their operational areas. The
report was forwarded to Khartoum. FAO -- Vet field officer organized meeting
with SMAARI and Tear Fund to discuss the matter and decide possible actions
for quick response. The group decided that a team from SMAARI/Tear Fund
and FAO should move immediately to investigate the situation at the field
level and collect possible samples for laboratory diagnosis and organize
massive curative services to morbid animals through Community Animal Health
Workers (CAHWs), CAH Monitors and vet. personnel acting in the areas.
On the 11th of May the team moved to
those areas by FAO vehicles as GoS vehicles can not access those areas.
Misteri 11/5/05
In Misteri the team was briefed by the CAHWs and CAHMs who reported the followings:
- Deaths in donkeys started last March.
- Donkey's population in the area is around 5,000.
- Mortality among donkeys is 100 since last March and is mostly among donkeys belonging to returnees from Chad (not de-wormed yet).
- Returnees are not feeding their donkeys. They let them loose looking for grass here and there although they are going out every day for collection of grass for sale as major income generating activity.
- Clinical signs: Diarrhea, lacrimation, cough (sometimes) and emaciation;
Action taken:
1. The team collected samples (smeer, serum, faecal sample) from 3 morbid animals and organs (lung, liver, intestine, spleen and kidney) from recent dead animal.
2. CAHWs & CAHM started de-worming process of donkeys belonging to returnees.
3. CAHWs & CAHM organized curative services for morbid animals.
4. Distribution of saltlicks.
Kango Haraza 12/5/05
In Kango Haraza the situation is different. 20 donkeys died since last march and donkey population is around 1,200.
Action taken:
1. The team collected lab. samples from 3 animals.
2. CAHWs & CAHM started de-worming of donkeys belonging to returnees.
3. CAHWs & CAHM organized curative services for morbid animals.
4. Distribution of saltlicks.
Arara 12/5/05
In Arara the situation is quiet; 5 out of 2,000 donkeys died since last April.
Action Taken:
1. The team collected lab samples.
2. CAHWs & CAHM started de-worming process of donkeys belonging to returnees.
3. CAHWs & CAHM organized curative services of morbid animals.
4. Distribution of saltlicks.
Beida 13/5/05
Donkey population in Beida is 5,500. The mortality is 20 since April. All dying donkeys belong to returnees.
Action Taken:
1. The team collected samples for laboratory analysis,
2. CAHWs & CAHM started de-worming process of donkeys belonging to returnees
3. CAHWs & CAHM organized curative services of morbid animals.
4. Distribution of saltlicks.
Conclusion;
It clearly appears that all donkeys belonging to Chad returnees in the above mentioned areas are malnourished and suffer from parasitic infestations, in addition to the heavy duties of transporting families and their assets from place to place during the return process. All these stress factors contributed in reducing resistance of donkeys to disease and internal parasites. For the time being it is important to advocate for donkey feeding and/or supplementary feeding to alleviate stress and physical degradation. Owners should be made aware of the physical stress animals have been enduring.
# The team is not able to collect some samples due to lack of transport media
# Samples will be labeled, packed and send to Khartoum by SMAARI.
Dr. Abdulrahman Mohamed Nour
Veterinary Field Officer
FAO -- West Darfur