Nine die of anthrax

Wa ( Upper West Region) 22 April

Nine people have died of anthrax since last Tuesday at Kokoligo and Tampiane in the Lawra district of the Upper West region. It is suspected that they ate infected meat. Dr Francis Banka, Acting Regional Director of Health Services, said at Wa on Thursday that five patients, suspected to be suffering from the disease are on admission at the Nandom and Jirapa hospitals. Medical personnel have been sent to the affected areas.

Nandom and Jirapa hospitals have been adequately stocked with drugs to handle the situation, Dr Banka said, describing the situation as "not alarming" as both the Veterinary Services department of Wa, Lawra and the Ministry of Health are handling the situation. He, however, advised people to avoid eating the carcass of any dead animal.

Mr Edward Mark-Hansen, the Regional Development Officer in charge of Veterinary services, confirmed that laboratory test on a cow which died at Kokoligo revealed that it had contracted anthrax but , some people had eaten the meat.

All cattle and small ruminants in the area are being treated and all cattle within a distance of eight kilometres in the area are being vaccinated. Also a ban has been placed on the importation of cattle from the Lawra district.

So far, no other animals has been reported dead of the disease except cattle. The Ministry of Food and Agriculture and the Ministry of Health, are also formulating guidelines to ensure the proper slaughtering and handling of meat to prevent the spread of the disease in the region, Mr. Mark-Hansen said.