Disease outbreak in Duhok’s Deraluk subdistrict sees farmers lose livestock

DUHOK — An outbreak of livestock disease has spread across Deraluk subdistrict and nearby villages in Amedi’s Duhok governorate, resulting in the deaths of over 50 sheep, goats, and calves in recent weeks. Local veterinarians attribute the recurring outbreak to a lack of preventive vaccination among livestock owners.

“This disease appears annually during the winter and spring seasons, but it worsens when farmers fail to vaccinate their animals on time,” said Farhad Mawludi, director of Amedi Veterinary Services, in an interview with 964media. He emphasized that while the disease’s spread could be controlled with proper precautions, most farmers overlook critical measures. “No one has approached us directly to report livestock deaths or seek assistance, but we are fully prepared to provide the necessary support.”

Local livestock owner Zeravan Ahmed described the devastating impact on his animals. “For weeks, some of my livestock have shown symptoms like fatigue and skin sores. Within days, they die, and there’s no effective treatment from veterinarians or local health centers,” he said. He revealed that he had already lost nine calves and many more have caught the disease, incurring financial losses of nearly 40 million Iraqi dinars ($30,000). Another farmer reportedly lost 30 calves, amounting to losses exceeding 50 million dinars ($38,000).

The disease typically manifests through visible symptoms such as skin lesions, lethargy, and lack of appetite. Without timely intervention, infected animals deteriorate quickly. Farmers in Deraluk have expressed frustration over the absence of veterinary outreach programs and insufficient resources to combat the outbreak.

Mawludi stressed that vaccination campaigns and heightened awareness are essential to preventing recurring outbreaks. “If livestock owners adhere to vaccination schedules and isolate infected animals promptly, the economic and animal losses would be significantly minimized,” he said.