By Abraham Machuor Lum
Kuok Malek Kuok stared at his empty corral and shook his head in disgust. Two months ago he had 55 heads of cattle. Today, he has only five remaining after a deadly cattle disease, currently sweeping through parts of Southern Sudan, wiped out his stock. He is among farmers who have lost over 30,000 cows in Rumbek village, Lakes state. Over the last few months cattle farmers in Lakes state have tirelessly continued counting their losses to a mysterious disease suspected to be an Anthrax outbreak.
Last year the strange disease claimed thousands of livestock in the state before the government intervened. However, the intervention brought only temporary relief as barely four months later, the disease is back killing livestock as if with vengeance and impunity. Farmers who spoke to this reporter had sad stories. They said close to 1000 cattle were dying every day.
Kuok Malek Kuok, a victim, said that the disease, locally known in the native Dinka language as Anyia, kills cows within a very short period of time. “The symptoms include bloody diarrhoea and a swollen body, loss of weight and a lot of rashes on the animal’s body,” said Kuok. He added: “I used to have fifty five cows and fifty died of the disease recently. I even have no hope on the remaining five. They too look sick.”
Another farmer, Thon Malok Majok, said the death of so much livestock has caused a shortage of milk in the region. “Young children who used to rely on milk are now malnourished because they are being forced on to solid food,” said Malok who has three wives and several children. He said he has lost 100 cattle to the disease.
A young man who identified himself as Marik Lueth Achiekgi revealed that he has lost 81 cattle and 32 goats to the disease. “Livestock was the only asset and source of revenue I had. Now I don’t know how I will earn a living,” he said. He added: “I hold the government accountable for the death of our cattle. They have done nothing to stop the spread of the disease.” In a sad twist of events, Marik says his plans to marry before the end of this year had now been ruined. “Where will I get cows to pay the dowry,” he asked.
The Director General in the Ministry of Animal Resources in Lakes State, Paul Maker Degol, confirmed the outbreak of the disease in the region. He claims a shortage of vaccine is affecting the campaign to combat the disease. But he also blamed some farmers in Rumbek North County who he said had refused to have their cows vaccinated claimed the vaccines would kill them. He said that besides Anthrax, the cows were also suffering from pneumonia.
