By Alieu Jallow
Residents of Malick Nana village in Upper Nuimi are calling for swift government intervention following a sudden and deadly outbreak that is wiping out goats across the community.
Families say the unexplained disease is spreading quickly and threatening their livelihoods, with dozens of animals already lost in a matter of days.
For many in the village, goats are not just livestock, but a financial backbone used for family needs, ceremonies, and small-scale business. The rapid deaths have left households anxious and frustrated, fearing that if the outbreak continues, it may leave them with nothing to fall back on.
One of the hardest-hit residents is Mamadou Musa Sidibeh, a young entrepreneur who turned to animal husbandry as a way to build a stable life at home rather than risk the dangerous, irregular migration known as the “back way”, said he has lost 16 out of his 20 goats, a blow that has pushed his small business to the brink of collapse.
“This brings a big challenge in my life because I rely on this small ruminant business to meet my needs. Today I have nothing, which takes me back to zero. I refused to take the back way because I believed I could succeed here, but this loss has affected me seriously,” he said.
Sidibeh said he reported the issue to a local veterinary officer who visited his farm, made observations, and suggested the symptoms were similar to a disease known as PPR, though he could not confirm it.
“He took notes, videos, and pictures and told me he would share them with his colleagues and get back to me. That was on the 2nd of December, and I haven’t heard from him since,” Sidibeh explained.
Another resident, Omar Krubally, described the situation as heartbreaking. He said goats play a vital role in social and economic life, often used to settle disputes, support ceremonies, and provide financial stability. He warned that the spread of the disease could discourage young people who are trying to invest in agriculture.
“If this disease continues like this, it will cause a lot of havoc, especially for youth who venture into goat rearing as a business. It’s discouraging to put effort into something and then watch a devastating disease wipe everything away,” he said
Kaddijatou Jallow, who has already lost four goats, shared the same concern. She said the animals were her main safety net.
“I used these goats to solve personal and family issues, and whenever I had a ceremony, I would just choose one and slaughter it. Losing them like this is painful,” she said
Residents say the disease attacks quickly, killing goats within three to four days. They also report that it spreads so fast that as one goat dies, another falls sick almost immediately.
The community is urging the Ministry of Agriculture and veterinary authorities to investigate the cause and provide urgent support to stop the spread before more families fall into deeper hardship.
By Alieu Jallow Residents of Malick Nana village in Upper Nuimi are calling for swift government intervention following a sudden and deadly outbreak that is wiping out goats across the community. Families say the unexplained disease is spreading quickly and threatening their livelihoods, with dozens of animals already lost in a matter of days. For The Fatu Network
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