Anthrax outbreak: Movement of ruminants banned in Upper East

Following the anthrax illness outbreak in two local districts, the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council has restricted the movement of ruminants.

Bansi in the Binduri District and Sapeliga in the Bawku West District are the communities where cases have been reported so far.

The Chief Director, Alhaji Abubakari Inusah, stated in a press release following an emergency meeting of the Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee on Monday [June 5, 2023] that a ban has been imposed with immediate effect on the movement of ruminants such as goats, sheep, pigs, cattle, and dogs from the eastern corridor of the region.

The affected districts are Bawku Municipality, Bawku West, Pusiga, Garu, Tempane and Binduri districts.

The duty of ensuring a one-month ban on the slaughter, sale, and eating of cattle, sheep, goats, and dogs has been assigned to the Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) as of yesterday, Tuesday [June 6, 2023].

Any individual or group of individuals who disobey the order must also be apprehended or arrested by the Police. The categories of ruminants must begin receiving anthrax vaccinations right once, according to instructions given to veterinarians.

“Owners of animals are to make their animals available for vaccination at their respective places of residence to contain the outbreak” it indicated.

The statement also urged support and collaboration from all parties involved to help bring down the calamity.

Two samples of livestock from the affected communities that were sent to the Pong-Tamale Veterinary Laboratory after being informed of a possible anthrax outbreak on May 31, 2023, were positive.

Thirteen cattle and 23 sheep and goats were verified as deceased in the two communities as of Friday, June 2, 2023.

Also, 13 suspected human anthrax cases including one death have been reported from Bansi in the Binduri District.

Eleven human samples are awaiting the laboratory results.