Our partner group, Lake Zone Animal Welfare Organization (LAZAWO), recently identified an outbreak of deadly tetanus in donkeys working in several mining areas of Tanzania. With your stellar support, we were able to act quickly and send funding for an emergency tetanus vaccination program.

Read the full story from LAZAWO below:

Background

Following reported cases of tetanus in working donkeys in the mining communities of Stamico, Nyarugusu and Mgusu in the Geita District, urgent action was required. The outbreak was advancing rapidly, with four cases already recorded (2 in Mgusu, 1 in Stamico, and 1 in Nyarugusu), threatening the health of donkeys in these areas.

Immediate Response Supported by AAA

With generous and timely support from Animal Aid Abroad, our field veterinary team swiftly responded by vaccinating newly introduced donkeys in these areas. With no prior history of vaccination, they had the highest risk of infection. We have successfully vaccinated 500 donkeys, prioritising those who are most vulnerable to the ongoing disease threat.

Impact of Vaccination

This emergency intervention has brought significant positive impact to the entire community involved in this project, and key outcomes include:

a) Reduction in immediate risk of further tetanus infections in working donkeys.

b) Protecting the welfare and working capacity of donkeys, safeguarding the livelihoods of mining and rural families.

c) Raising awareness among donkey owners about tetanus prevention and animal welfare, fostering a more proactive approach to donkey health in the community.

Gap

This immediate intervention successfully covered 500 donkeys at risk in the three gold mines of Mgusu, Stamico, and Nyarugusu. However, to ensure wider protection, there is a need for a second phase of intervention in the remaining mining zones of Lwamgasa, Magenge, and Nyaruyeye. In addition, the continuous movement of newly introduced donkeys into our project areas presents an ongoing risk that needs to be addressed. The proposed second phase will help protect these animals and sustain the welfare of working donkeys in our project communities.

LAZAWO veterinary team sincerely thank all Animal Aid Abroad supporters for your quick and life-saving support. Your help came at a critical time when the outbreak risk was growing fast.

Going forward, we recognise the need to vaccinate newly-purchased donkeys brought into our project areas and to give booster shots for long-term protection. We will also keep educating owners on the risks of wounds and how to protect their donkeys.

With your continued support, we can improve the health of these hardworking donkeys.