Epidemic outbreak suspected in Donga Mantung Division

There are fears of an outbreak of an ‘epidemic’ in Donga Mantung Division, North West Region of Cameroon, following the suspicious death of animals, goats in particular and the withering of tress mostly cypresses.

Since early March 2016, the price of goats in the villages of Mbot and Kup in Nkambe Subdivision has witnessed a drastic decline further plunging the locals into poverty and fear.

“I can remember that for a goat that could be sold for FCFA 15, 000, my grandfather sold three for just FCFA 20,000. People are just afraid of how they would survive if goats continue to die.

Their poverty level would increase because they depend on local breeding of animals to send their children to school," a Kumbo resident , Njobee Marcel, said April 25, 2016.

Other locals at the Ndu, Nkambe, Lassin and Misaje markets, are quoted as saying they have lost, some 63 goats in a week while some breeders have lost more. Some farmers complain that the vaccination of the animals is still to serve the purpose intended.

Witnesses to the strange phenomenon suggest that the death of the animals started in Bui area, Noni Noni Sub Division before gradually moving to other areas.

“We cannot estimate the number of goats which have so far died. For more than a month now it is fast becoming rampant. The goats you see were being taken to the market Friday (April 22) when they died along the way,” another resident said.