Mystery Camel Disease Alarms Cholistan Communities

Mystery disease outbreak in Cholistan has alarmed local communities as dozens of camels have died within days. The keyphrase “mystery camel disease” fits naturally here. Herders say they first noticed unusual symptoms during routine grazing. As a result, they immediately contacted livestock teams for help.
Punjab livestock officials visited the affected desert stretches to assess the situation. Their teams examined more than 11,000 camels in five days. They also found signs of illness in around 1,100 animals. The rapid spread has raised concerns across the region. In addition, many families depend on these animals for their income.

Rising Cases Across Desert Areas

The outbreak has hit Sadiqabad and Kot Sabzal the hardest. These areas fall within Rahim Yar Khan district. Herders from both regions reported sudden collapse in their camels. They also described cold-like signs that quickly worsened. For example, the animals developed high fever and stopped eating within hours. The fast progression has created fear among local communities. However, officials assure the public that they are tracking every new case.
Livestock teams said the illness resembles a flu-like infection. They collected samples from 52 camels for testing. These samples went to laboratories in Lahore and Islamabad. Experts are now studying them to identify the source. Therefore, more details are expected soon.

Economic Impact on Herders

The outbreak has placed a heavy burden on camel owners. Many herders rely on their animals for transport and trade. Losing even one camel can push a family into crisis. In addition, the deaths have caused financial losses worth hundreds of thousands of rupees. Herders fear the situation may worsen if the disease continues to spread.
Authorities say they will increase surveillance across Cholistan. They also plan to support affected families. As a result, communities hope the situation improves soon.