By Mustapha Jallow
Officials of the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust (GHDT), an organization established to treat animals, are seeking partnerships with local scientists to help arrest larvae of flies that are killing dogs and other domestic animals.
Flystrike is a condition where flies lay eggs on an animal, which then hatch and develop into larvae. According to a report from the Royal Veterinary College, these can eat into the animal’s flesh and cause severe damage quickly. “We do not know why so many flies strike in the country. That is why the organization (GHDT) wants to partner with an entomologist to help in the effort of research – so to know the real cause of these flies’ attack animals,” remarked Dr. Kebba Daffeh, former Director of Veterinary Services in the Gambia and now a Veterinary expert at GHDT.
He made this statement during a long-day sensitization on preventing and treating fly larvae, which he says have eliminated hundreds of domestic animals. Held at GHDT, the treatment center just behind Kembujeh, in Brikama, the event brought together students of the UTG, College {referred to as Future Vets}, Lectures, specialists, officials of GHDT, animal owners, and other local partners.
It is noticed that animals with wounds – attract flies, which later become a perfect breeding ground for flies to colonize, lay eggs, and hatch. Although small, these scary critters instill fear into many experts after they claimed the lives of many dogs and are now spreading in the communities.
GHDT officials also shared details of how to get rid of them, but they need collaboration in the fight against fly attacks on animals.
Dr Daffeh said dogs, sheep, donkeys, and horses died after maggots attacked, saying that dogs were the most affected.
“Flies capitalize on animal injuries, where they {flies} lay their eggs on those injuries and hatch into larva or maggots. The larvae would also start eating that affected animal. And if it is not treated, it would lead to death, and this is more common in dogs,” he added.
Dr Daffeh lamented: “It’s a harrowing situation. Modalities have been reported. We have never seen a fly attack of this magnitude; in fact, they {files} have killed many dogs and other domestic animals – and this has raised a serious alarm because many people are concerned about this fly invasion.”
Edrisa Nyass, a senior para-veterinary for GHDT, views the long-day session as timely and vital – regarding the cases his organization has been receiving. He added that over 50 points of maggots in dogs were recorded just for the past six months. “Most of the bad cases I recorded come from Kembujeh,” he says.
Nyass explained how the organization had successfully intervened and treated some animals affected by larvae, saying that about 80% to 95% {percent} of maggots were cured and sent back those animals’ home. Meanwhile, he asked the animal owners to take care of their pits or report any suspected cases of larvae to GHDT, saying this would help the effort of fighting against fly attacks.
