By Peter Agengre
Two more cases of the Anthrax outbreak have been confirmed at Duusi in the Talensi District in the Upper East Region.
Two cattle showed some signs of the disease yesterday and later died. The samples confirmed that the animal had suffered from Anthrax disease.
A team from the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Service, NADMO, Ghana Health Service, and the Environmental Health and Sanitation Department visited the community and buried the dead animals.
The Upper East Regional Director of the Veterinary Service, Dr. Henry Nii Anang, who confirmed the report, advised residents not to consume dead animals but to report such cases.
Meanwhile, a ban has been placed on the sales and consumption of cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs for a one-month period, effective June 6, 2023. Veterinary Officers have also been directed to commence anthrax vaccination of such animals for free as soon as possible.
Ban on movement of cattle
The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council has placed a one-month ban on the movement of small ruminants and cattle along the Eastern corridor of the region following an outbreak of anthrax in parts of that area. A statement by the Coordinating Council said the affected areas are Bawku Municipality, Bawku West, Pusiga, Garu, Tempane, and Binduri Districts.
The action noted in the statement follows the outbreak of anthrax in the Eastern part of the region, namely: Bansi Community in Binduri District and Sapeliga Community in Bawku West District.
As of Friday, 2nd June, 2023 seven cattle and 23 sheep and goats were confirmed dead in the Bansi and Sapeliga communities. Among humans, there were 13 suspected cases, including one death, reported from the Bansi Community. Eleven human samples have been sent to the Pong-Tamale Veterinary Laboratory and are awaiting results.
The statement further directed the Regional Directorate of the Veterinary Service to immediately commence mass vaccination of all ruminants in the Bansi and Sapeliga communities.
At an emergency meeting of the Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee held yesterday to examine the suspected outbreak of anthrax in the Eastern part of the region, some decisions were adopted to curb the spread of the bacteria.
The statement signed by the Chief Director, Alhaji Abubakar Inusah, asked the Municipal and District Chief Executives to ensure that slaughtering, sales, and consumption of such animals are banned for a period of one month, effective today. Meanwhile, the Police have been instructed to apprehend or arrest any person or group of persons who flout the directive.
