By: Peter Agengre
Four Districts in the Upper East Region have confirmed some anthrax outbreaks. These include Binduri, Bawku West, Talensi and Bolgatanga Municipal. Out of these numbers, one person was confirmed dead after consuming the meat of some cattle affected by anthrax.
Following the new confirmed death of two cattle of anthrax at Duusi community in the Talensi District and a suspected anthrax death of a sheep in the Bolgatanga Municipality, the Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee has commenced a free anthrax vaccination of animals in the entire region.
At a media engagement in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Stephen Yakubu said the committee has decided to review the response measures to control the spread of the anthrax outbreak in the region.
“There is a ban on the movement of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, and their products. Similarly, the ban of meat products of the above stated animals is still being enforced in the entire region. Anthrax vaccination of animals is extended to cover the entire region. The vaccination is free” Mr. Yakubu stressed.
The Minister advised the general public to consider consuming vegetable proteinous foods for the next one month until the outbreak of anthrax stops.
He urged the media and the general public to help stop the spread of the anthrax outbreak in the region.
“All Municipal and District Chief Executives, Municipal and District Environmental Officers, Veterinary Officers, the media, etc are urged to support stop the spread of the anthrax outbreak by educating the public to avoid eating dead animals. We need to also educate the public to avoid contact with sick animals and report all sick animals to the nearest veterinary officers, health officers, community health volunteers and environmental health officers” he added.
Mr. Stephen Yakubu also urged “all livestock owners to avail their animals for the free anthrax vaccination.”
The Upper East Regional Director of the Veterinary Services, Dr. Henry Nii Anang has also attributed the outbreak of the anthrax in the region to the change in weather pattern.
He said the early rains this year might have caused some animals to graze unhealthy feed that has the tendency of causing the anthrax on the animal.
