Apparently collected from laymen, the “contagious” disease, affecting simultaneously large and small ruminants, is characterised by fever and a relatively short (2-3 days) duration when fatal. Lungs are “badly affected” (gross pathology?) and throats swell. In the absence of data on the size of the affected populations, per species, morbidity and fatality rates are unknown.

One of the diseases which deserves to be excluded is bluetongue, caused by culicoides-borne orbiviruses. Bluetongue, a seasonal disease, is endemic in Pakistan. There are also bacterial pathogens that deserve to be excluded.

An early veterinary investigation is warranted. Further information from knowledgeable sources on those results will be appreciated.