Herder grazes cattle elsewhere in South Sudan|Courtesy

Authorities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State are investigating a mysterious disease that has killed at least 56 cattle in Aweil East County.

The State Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries says the cause of the outbreak has not yet been identified.

According to the ministry, the affected animals are part of about 400 cattle brought from Sudan and were in transit to other parts of the country for marketing.

State Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, Akol Wol Mayen, said veterinary teams have collected samples and sent them for laboratory analysis.

“The disease is not yet determined. Because it is something strange that kills animals massively at a given small period of time and we can’t really explain what disease has caused that. But the veterinary doctors have gone to the site, collected samples for laboratory analysis and we are waiting for the results,” he said.

The minister said authorities have restricted the movement of animals from the affected area to prevent further spread of the disease.

He added that local cattle have not been affected, noting that only animals brought from Sudan have shown symptoms including bloody diarrhea and swelling of the skin.

Mayen urged residents to stay away from dead animals and avoid tampering with carcasses as investigations continue.

He said the government expects laboratory results soon and will provide further updates once the cause of the disease is confirmed.