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Over 100 Binduri residents consume anthrax-infected carcass

More than 100 people who ate the carcass of anthrax-infected cow in the Binduri District of the Upper East Region are suspected of hav­ing contracted the disease.

A press release signed by the Upper East Regional Veterinary Officer, Dr Henry Nii Ayi Anang on Friday, June 2, 2023 said four cattle and 20 sheep had died of anthrax in a suburb of Binduri District since May 21 and over 100 people ate the carcass of the anthrax-infected cow, according to information gathered from the community.

One person has been reported dead from a suspected case of the anthrax, after consuming the infected animal.

Also it said 11 people were showing symptoms of cutaneous lesions on hands and faces, diar­rhoea and stomach pains.

Anthrax is a zoonomic disease caused by bacterial called balli­cus anthracis, and the disease is endemic in most districts of the Upper East Region, including the Binduri District, however the press release said there had not been occurrence of the disease in recent times.

The release further stated that “on May 31, 2023, a team of vet­erinary officers carrying out PPR vaccinations in a nearby com­munity had the information that a cow died in the Bansi Bologo community and the carcass was consumed and as a result of that two people were taken ill and one was sent to the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

“The district veterinary officer upon receiving the information went to the said community to verify the rumour and the infor­mation was confirmed. He visited the second victim at the Bazua hospital and interacted with him,” the statement said.

It said, observing the victim, the face was swollen, there were cutaneous lesions on his hands and other parts of the body, adding that the victim was also in a distress state.

According to the statement, the victim confirmed taking part in the consumption of the meat and died two hours after the visit.

It said samples had been taken from all 11 people for confirma­tion adding that, there was howev­er no animal sample for collection.

The Upper East Veterinary Services Directorate has, therefore, advised the community to report deaths of animals to the veterinary officers and desist from consum­ing dead animals, adding that restriction from the affected area had been put in place.

 BY TIMES REPORTER

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