Sudan loses $1 billion after Rift Valley disease cases

January 12, 2008 (CAIRO) — Sudanese diplomat said false reports about cases of rift valley fever among Sudanese livestock incurred substantial losses for nearly one billion USD.

Idris Suleiman, Deputy Head of Mission at Sudanese Embassy in Egypt said unfounded reports related to cases of Rift Valley Fever among Sudanese livestock caused huge losses in the national economy that reached nearly one billion US dollar. Losses were incurred by both the private and the public sector, he added on January 10.

The disease caused row over its cause between the ministry of health which had warned people from easting meat and the ministry of Animal Resources which claimed there is no sign of Rift Valley Fever among livestock.

The deadly virus can be transmitted to humans by handling of animal tissue during slaughtering or butchering, helping with animal births and in veterinary procedures. Human infections can also result from mosquito bites and consuming unpasteurised or uncooked milk or meat of infected animals, according to the WHO.

Recently, the export of some 20,000 camels has been banned at the Sudanese border with Egypt as a measure against the disease spreading. Sudanese authorities denied that these animals carry the infection.

“The animals have been staying at the border for over 40 days now, while the disease causes death in less than five days,” Idris said.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), if Sudan utilised all available land for agriculture, it would be able to provide one fifth of the world’s demand for food supplies. With its 150 million heads of livestock, Sudan occupies the first place among African countries in animal farming.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) at the end of December 2007 warned that Rift Valley Fever has spread rapidly in Sudan, with 218 fatalities and 631 infections since its outbreak in October.

(ST)