Unknown Disease Strikes Buffalo and Bushbuck in Arusha National Park, Tanzania-A Case Report

Abstract

Few weeks after the onset of heavy rains in April, May and June, 1997 a series of ungulate mortality in Arusha National Park was reported.  It  later  become  evident  that  they  were  caused  by   a disease  outbreak.  The  nature  of  deaths   could   be   distinguished from the ones experienced  in  African  buffalo  (Syncerus  caffer) during the extensive drought at  the  beginning  of  the  year  which  were drought  caused.  Intensive investigation revealed that 32 African buffalo and 22 bushbuck (Tragelaphus  scriptus)  were recorded dead. Mortality was also observed in 4 giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis), 1 bushpig (Potamochoerus porcus ) 1 dikdik (Madoqua kirkii) and 1 warthog ( Phacocoerus aethiopicus). Although the disease was characterised by stomatitis lesions both serological and pathological findings confirmed absence of rinderpest and Foot-and-Mouth Disease infection.  This case report briefly describes the measures undertaken to investigate the disease