An epidemiological study of major camel diseases in the Borana lowland, Southern Ethiopia

This report describes the seasonal occurrences of major camel diseases and investigates constraints and potentials of camel production in Borana region in Southern Ethiopia. The study indicates that camel husbandry is the main source of income for millions of pastoralists in the region. However, the most important constraints to camel productions are identified to be widespread diseases, poor veterinary service and lack of attention from government.

The paper finds that:

• the occurrence and severity of diseases showed variation with seasons, animal groups and camel herding ethnics 
• young and breeding females were the most affected animal groups.
  

Based on the above findings, the document suggests the need for initiating mutual understanding and common utilisation of the rangeland resources through traditional dialogues among neighbouring ethnic groups. In addition, the paper states that there is a clear need for disease control intervention activities along several lines, notably the following: 

• both external and internal parasitic diseases can be controlled by treatment of affected animals, which must be mainly practiced during the dry season
• parasitic disease treatment should be seen not only in curing sick animals but also in relation to improvement of body conditions and enhancement of body defence
• early treatment of bacterial infections, the major causes of early mortality in newborn camels, can minimise the loss in camel calves
• regarding hypocalcaemia, treatment with calcium preparations is of paramount importance in saving the life of animal and maintaining its reproduction efficiency 
• lobby and advocacy works must be pushed hard to influence policymakers and development planners to consider camel health care by immunisation 
• among others, research should focus on the use of possible production and reproduction technologies utilised by cattle.