Pastoralists in Fashoda State say more than 13,000 heads of cattle have died of a mysterious disease since last month.

The head of the Pastoralists Union in the state John Uthou told Radio Tamazuj that the cattle in Fashoda, Manyo and Koduk Counties develop diarrhoea and die shortly after.

Uthou appealed to national and international veterinary organisations to urgently send an inspection team to the area to ascertain the cause of the disease and provide necessary medication and vaccinations to prevent further spread.

He also called on the government to come to the aid of pastoralists in the state whose lives he says depend on the health of their livestock.