ADDIS ABABA (AFP) — An outbreak of African horse sickness has killed more than 2,000 horses, mules and donkeys in Ethiopia since March, an official said Wednesday.

The disease has swept through the country’s southwestern regions since the first outbreak was reported, said Berhe Gebreegziabher, the head of animal health in the agriculture ministry.

“The mortality rate is high with over 2,000 equids dead, according to reports coming out of communities,” he said.

The outbreak has been compounded by the occurrence of a different viral strain of the disease for which Ethiopia has no vaccine, Berhe added.

African horse sickness is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Horses have the highest mortality rate with 90 percent dying once infected, while mules and donkeys share smaller rates with 50 and 10 percent respectively.

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