Health News of Monday, 22 July 2013

Source: GNA

Outbreak of anthrax in Builsa North

Dr Moses Dbordsi, Upper East Regional Director of Veterinary Services, on Friday confirmed the outbreak of Anthrax in the Builsa North District in the Upper East Region.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr Dbordsi said some people were affected by the disease that attacked animals, but the regional veterinary services office was keeping surveillance to put the situation under control.

He said the office was educating the public on the disease and a ban had been placed on the movement of animals in the Builsa North District.

Dr Steven Degbor, District Director of Food and Agriculture for Builsa North, in a report to the assembly said 39 sheep died in Wiaga, which led to an emergency census on animals in the district as well as laboratory investigations to confirm the situation.

He indicated that carcasses collected from a household had been buried and vaccinations had started since July 11, on sheep, cattle, goats, pigs and donkeys at an 8 kilometer radius from the area where the sheep died.

He said a total of 207 cattle, 821 sheep, 394 goats, 70 pigs and 57 donkeys had been vaccinated so far.