After the initial epidemic abated, a resurgence of this disease is known to have been occurring in the Afar and Somali Regional States of Ethiopia in 1997 and it was also present in Somalia. The disease which killed some 200 Gerenuk in northern Kenya in December 1997 to January 1998 was characterised by oral hyperaemia and coronitis raising suspicions that BT or EHD could be responsible. Examinations are still pending but no further wildlife mortalities have been reported even in game in close contact with livestock. With high populations of biting flies and midges, it is likely that lumpy skin disease and ephemeral fever will become prevalent in the near future. East Coast fever could extend well outside its normal range.
Leptospirosis needs to be considered in differential diagnosis.
Favourable conditions for tse-tse fly multiplication could be provided as the land dries out and infection rates could increase. An increase in incidence could also occur from mechanical transmission by biting flies which are prevalent. Samples have been taken and confirmation is awaited. The Ethiopian veterinary services are actively investigating the possibility that the same disease epidemic conditions as were experienced in Kenya and Somalia could have extended to include the south-eastern part of Ethiopia.