A rapidly spreading viral infection has hit camels in the Kot Sabzal area of Sadiqabad, triggering fear among local herders as the disease continues to move through the region.
Local residents said that at least ten camels had died so far, while many others were in critical condition over the past several days.
Herders complained that the situation was getting worse with each passing day and accused the Livestock Department of failing to respond in time despite multiple requests for assistance.
According to owners, the illness initially appears with cold-like symptoms, then progresses to a high fever. In several cases, camels reportedly lose consciousness before dying.
Financial losses
Many livestock keepers said they were witnessing heavy financial losses as valuable animals were dying despite their attempts to arrange private medical care.
Officials from the Livestock Department, however, confirmed that their teams had now reached the affected locations and had begun offering treatment and support.
The department said the disease closely resembles a severe flu-type infection that leads to nasal congestion and breathing difficulties in camels. They also noted that a similar outbreak had occurred in the Cholistan desert in 2010.
