State minister said they had sent a report to the National Ministry of Livestock and partners confirming the outbreak of the disease in the region

By Makur Adut.

More than 270 cattle have died following the outbreak of Lumpy Skills Disease in Lakes. The disease, characterised by fever, nodules on the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs, emaciation, enlarged lymph nodes and oedema of the skin, killed the cattle within a period of two months, in August and September, 2024.

Samuel Gai Magok, Lakes State Minister of Animal Resources Fisheries and Tourism, confirmed that a total of 5024 cattle were affected by the disease. He advised citizens in the state as well as the government to be on high alert following the outbreak of the disease, common in cattle and buffaloes.

“So, far we have investigated and collected data from all the eight counties of Lakes State and even now, we have the data available,” he said, confirming the total cases at 5024; with 273 deaths, 3,588 cows recovered from the diseases and 1,480 cows still affected.

“To the general public, especially livestock keepers, ensure you adhere to the preventive measures. Isolation the sick animals, clean the environment, that is cow yard, and minimize random livestock migration,” he said, insisting that the public must obey the three measures even before government sends medication for the animals.

Magok said they had sent a report to the National Ministry of Livestock and partners confirming the outbreak of the disease in Lakes State.

“We are waiting for your response. This disease is actually serious and it is devastating and killing many animals. We urge you to respond quickly, as soon as possible, to rescue the few animals we have. We need drugs and vaccines from the partners such that the few will be rescued,” he said.

James Majak Muorwel, a laboratory technician confirmed he had received about 3 cows that have been infected by the disease, and it was becoming difficult to contain the challenge.

“I have treated cows, and none of these have died, but with this disease, and the way it is increasing, I do not know what will happen, whether the cows will survive or not,” he said.

Mayak Mabil, a community veterinary health worker in Rumbek Centre County revealed that the disease has infected a large number of livestock in the cattle camps in the region.

He said more than 20 cows are being vaccinated daily from animal’s veterinary clinic in Rumbek Centre County, aside from those vaccinated by people in their homes.

He said all the surrounding cattle camps are facing the same difficulties of having their cattle infected by the skin disease.

“This disease is killing very many cows, and goats. All these times, it’s FAO that used to provide us with medicines for animal’s diseases and the RRC organization. But now, we are yet to get support from the NGOs. We are almost going for three days without medicine to vaccinate animals in Rumbek Centre County,” he said.

Mabil said locals had now resorted to seek attention from private animal clinics in Rumbek town to buy drugs for their cattle.

“We are waiting for your response. This disease is actually serious and it is devastating and killing many animals. We urge you to respond quickly, as soon as possible, to rescue the few animals we have,” said Samuel Gai Magok, Lakes State Minister of Animal Resources Fisheries and Tourism.