Why Are Huge Numbers Of Camels Dying In Africa And Saudi Arabia?

A group of camels in the Saudi Arabian desert. (Credit: iStockphoto)

More than 2000 dromedaries -- Arabian camels -- have died since August 10 in Saudi Arabia. Various theories have been put forward to explain the numerous deaths. For several years, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa have also seen similar numbers of deaths. In 1995-1996, CIRAD worked on a fatal epizootic disease affecting dromedaries in Ethiopia.

Analyses are being conducted to confirm or rule out the hypothesis of food intoxication in the countries concerned. Poisoning caused by the ingestion of toxic plants, mycotoxins (microscopic fungi), or mineral deficiencies has also been suggested. The deaths are probably due to a multitude of factors, which have a detrimental effect on the immune system, including some viruses which could increase the severity of infections or parasitic infestations in animals.

As Bernard Faye, head of the animal resources department at CIRAD, explains: "For years, we have been witnessing new pathologies in camels. There is nothing to suggest that the causes of these diseases are identical because the symptoms are not always the same."

Read full article at Science Daily , october10,2007