Herders worried as mysterious camel disease strikes Hurri Hills in Marsabit killing 20 in a week
The affected animals exhibit symptoms such as thick white nasal discharge, laboured breathing, teary eyes, swollen lymph nodes, immobility, and eventual death within three to four days.
A deadly disease has struck camels in Hurri Hills, North Horr Constituency in Marsabit County, killing at least 20 animals in just a week and leaving many others critically ill.
The outbreak, as reported by the Daily Nation, has caused panic among herders, who fear they may lose their remaining livestock if there is no urgent veterinary intervention.
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Hurri Hills Senior Chief Bonaya Godana has appealed for immediate assistance.
"We urge government vets and other experts to come to the rescue of our camels before we lose them all," he stated.
He added that logistical challenges have prevented veterinarians from reaching the affected area.
At least 20 more camels are in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could increase further.
Cause remains unknown
According to the Nation, the exact cause of the disease remains unknown, but herders suspect it may be a bacterial or viral infection.
The affected animals exhibit symptoms such as thick white nasal discharge, laboured breathing, teary eyes, swollen lymph nodes, immobility, and eventual death within three to four days.
Mzee Dido Guyo, a veteran herder, reported losing nine camels between March 16 and March 20, while three other herders stated they lost 11 camels.
"We wonder what will become of our families if we lose even the few animals that survived the devastating drought,” he told the Daily Nation.
With 12 children, four in university and three in high school, he fears losing his only source of income and nutrition.
Milk supply disrupted
Camel milk is vital in the region, particularly for children and the elderly.
The disease has disrupted this crucial supply, exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition. Hurri Hills was among the worst-hit areas during the 2021–2022 drought, which killed hundreds of livestock and left families struggling with malnutrition, school dropouts, and mental health issues.
Similar cases were reported in 2024 in the Korka Sub-Location, where at least 195 camels, most of them pregnant, either died or suffered stillbirths.
In 2020, about 100 camels perished in El Hadhi after drinking contaminated water from an abandoned well.
Other past outbreaks in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia in 2020 and 2022 diagnosed camels with Mannheimia haemolytica, a bacterial infection that affects the lungs.
Sudden weather changes have also been linked to camel deaths in the past, with extreme heat followed by downpours causing hypothermia-like symptoms.
According to a 2015 Oxfam report, Hurri Hills lost over 300 animals in a similar outbreak.
In previous cases, regional efforts led to the formation of a cross-border disease task force to monitor and control zoonotic infections. However, despite these initiatives, herders in Marsabit feel abandoned.
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