I’M HAYLEY LINDSEY, FROM THE UGA COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE
I went to Cameroon with the goal of seeing global animal health initiatives in action after finding out about LifeStock’s project with the University of Buea’s Laboratory for Emerging Infectious Diseases. I knew there was so much I could learn from visiting the country including speaking with our partners and meeting with smallholders to discuss their challenges with Transboundary Animal Diseases. I spent 3 weeks touring 3 different regions within Cameroon to meet that goal.
…..At left I’m at a meeting with small ruminant farmers at the live animal market in Foumbot…..
Meeting University and Government Veterinarians
…..At left I’m meeting with the veterinary staff at Tiko…..
Combating TADs in Cameroon
African Swine Fever is devastating swine farmers throughout the country on a regular basis and many of them were taking increased interest in improving biosecurity and sanitation measures.
In contrast, the success of 3 years of government-funded vaccination campaigns against PPR was obvious for small ruminant holders throughout the country, some of whom hadn’t seen outbreaks of this highly deadly disease in well over a year.
Progress at poultry farms
Progress has also been seen at many of the poultry farms I visited. They now have a wide variety of technology and infrastructure tools at their disposal, and they all spoke highly of the efficacy and necessity of regular vaccination protocols for Newcastle disease and Gumboro (infectious bursal disease).
…..On the right we’re visiting a large poultry farm in Mudeka…..
Collaborating with smallholders
I found a lot of commonalities in the challenges that smallholders and their veterinarians face within Cameroon. From rising feed costs to lack of adequate disease surveillance (especially in high volume areas like live animal markets), to difficulties in accessing capital, vaccines, and training resources, the farmers and veterinarians shared their concerns with me.
They asked questions regarding my own experiences working with livestock in the US in the hope that our collaboration could bring some meaningful change to their practices. This was both an honor and a humbling experience for me. As a student, I have sometimes felt like there isn’t very much I can do yet to help combat these diseases and improve the sustainability of smallholder farms. However, every time I travel to work on one of LifeStock’s projects, I find my help can be important.
Determination, despite ASF outbreaks
During my time in the Southwest region, I had the pleasure of meeting Hedwig. Hedwig is a swine farmer who has been raising a small herd of swine for about 5 years. Some of those years, she has lost almost every one of her pigs to ASF outbreaks. She told me about the challenges of having to rebuild a herd with no government compensation. Another difficulty in keeping ASF out of their pig houses is the fact that they only have enough money for infrastructure to build small sheds behind their houses. If an outbreak occurs in the community, there is a high likelihood that any one of her neighbors could inadvertently bring it to her pigs, just by walking by.
Given the challenges and expense associated with raising pigs in this non-controlled disease environment, I asked her why she still farms. While it’s true that this is a source of income for her and her family, it’s not their only source. She looked at me and smiled and said “I just love pig farming. I have a passion for it. I love the animals. I love supporting my family and feeding my community.”
…..Hedwig is at left in the photo, with another pig farmer and me…..
Additional visits...
My first day in Cameroon, visiting the University of Buea Laboratory for Emerging and Infectious Diseases where all the project samples are processed.
Working with vets at the Douala Abattoir.
Becoming a global veterinarian
Hedwig’s story is just one of so many amazing and touching stories from the farmers I was blessed to meet on this trip. Their love for their work, their dedication to their families, and their excitement to tell me all about their livelihoods (good and bad parts) inspires me every day.
I returned from Cameroon feeling motivated to pursue a career within veterinary medicine using epidemiology and capacity-building public health techniques to aid in the fight against these significant TADs. And, most importantly, I left Cameroon re-energized by the people who welcomed me into their homes and farms with open arms and asked nothing from me but good conversation and a photo to remember our meeting.
As always, I am grateful for the opportunity provided to me by LifeStock, to experience their projects and learn from their work. I truly hope one day I will be able to contribute to these goals through my own expertise as a global animal health veterinarian.
….. Here I’m on a visit to a sheep and goat farm in Foumbot (the neighborhood kids decided to join too!)…..
