Four districts have been identified as having been exposed to the anthrax disease in the Upper East Region.
The districts are Binduri, Bawku West, Talensi districts and the Bolgatanga municipality. There have been reports of the deaths of close to 24 cattle and one sheep.
In light of this, the Upper East Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee has placed a ban on the transportation of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and donkeys as well as the eating of their meat.
The committee also tasked all districts, community health volunteers, and environmental health officers to begin educating the public on the disease, and the avoidance of consuming dead animals.
“To avert the further spread of anthrax, we are calling on all health officials to educate the public to avoid contact with sick animals and report all sick animals to the nearest veterinary office.”
The Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu made this known at a press briefing held on Wednesday 7th June 2023, at the Regional Coordinating Council.
He stressed further that “Punishment will be given to anyone who fails to adhere to the ban. We have banned the movement and slaughtering of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, donkeys, and their products. Similarly, we are saying beginning today, there is going to be free vaccination of the anthrax vaccine for all animals in the region.”
He, therefore, called on the media to support and sensitise the public about anthrax disease and the need to stop its spread.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Ghana
