Pastoralists from South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el-Ghazal state have complained of the spread of a disease amongst their cattle, amidst concerns that it could be transmitted to humans if not controlled. 

Citizens speaking to Radio Tamazuj claimed that Hemorrhagic Septicemia has infected a large number of cattle in the region and expressed their fears of its possible future transmission to people.

Director of animal health in the state ministry of animal resources, Peter Jok,confirmed the presence of such cases in the area. He explained in an interview from Aweil that the first cases of the outbreak were recorded in September last year.

Jok also revealed that the state ministry of health had asked for vaccines to be provided by the national ministry of health but he claims they received no response from Juba and worries that it is this which could lead to human transmission.

Jok blames the spread of the disease on human behaviour such as the growing phenomenon of illegal slaughterhouses which workoutside of the authorities’ control.

“The transmission of the disease is even from sparks after the burning of the remains of an infected cow…” added the director.

He further warned cattle owners and butchers not to sell infected animals.