Mohamed Ould Ahmed*, Mohamed Fall, Mohamed El Moustapha Sidi Mohamed Ali, Abdel Kerim Mademba Diop, Mohamed Salem Amar Vall, Khaled Mohamed Sidelemine, Mohamed Maarouf Sidatt, Mahfoudh Mohamed Salem, Ahmedou Brahim Abba, Cheikh Yahya Dièye and Mohammed Bengoumi
Dromedary pathologies have a significant impact on animal and human health as well as on the economy and the environment. The aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiology of dromedary diseases. The survey also aims to take stock of indigenous knowledge and practices concerning camel diseases. A socio-epidemiological survey of dromedary breeders was carried out using a questionnaire administered to a population of 359 breeders in all regions of Mauritania. This survey enabled us to match the vernacular description of camel diseases used by breeders with the scientific characteristics of these diseases. The results revealed 25 diseases affecting dromedary. However, 11 diseases alone accounted for 89.5%, with individual frequencies distributed as follows: Mange or Jrab or Loukech (28.5%), trypanosomiasis or Tabourit (15.8%), gastrointestinal parasitosis or Emndy (11.1%), Pasteurellosis or Elbared (8.6%), tuberculosis or Nhaz (8.6%), tinea or Legraa (5.2%), sinusitis or Boukhneniva (3.8%), smallpox or Jedri (3.4%), Rift Valley fever (1.6%), mammitis or Liram or Zayed (1.6%), and respiratory infection or Soussé (1.2%). Breeders reported 14 other diseases, representing only 10.5%, with individual frequencies of less than 1%. The survey also demonstrated breeders’ broad and long-standing native expertise in the diseases affecting dromedary. Implementation of the recommendations made in this study will improve knowledge and control of dromedary diseases, leading to a clear minimization of negative socioeconomic impacts on production.
Published Date: 2024-02-19; Received Date: 2024-01-22
