The Upper East region experienced a disruption in the work routine of some butchers and abattoir workers for over 10 days. This was a result of a nationwide lockdown on cattle, particularly in the region.
The entire country received advice to temporarily refrain from consuming cattle due to the outbreak of Anthrax disease.
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called bacillus anthracis. It is characterized by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria.
The disease is naturally present in the soil and can affect both domestic and wild animals worldwide. Humans can contract anthrax when they come into contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
It poses a significant health risk to both humans and animals, often leading to severe illness.
On June 6, 2023, the Office of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council confirmed the outbreak of the Anthrax disease which was first confirmed in the region.
Following the confirmation, the Council banned the movement of all small ruminants including sheep, goat, pigs, cattle and dogs from the Eastern corridor of the Region, thus Bawku Municipality, Bawku West, Pusiga, Garu, Tempane and Binduri districts.
It also directed the Municipal and District Chief Executives to ensure that slaughtering, sales and consumption of cattle, sheep, goats and dogs were banned for a period of one (1) month effective 6th June, 2023.
The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council also instructed the police to apprehend or arrest any person or group of persons who flout(s) the directives above.
In a press release, the Council stated that at an emergency meeting of the Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee held on Monday, June 5, 2023, to examine a suspected outbreak of anthrax in the Eastern part of the region, Bansi Community in Binduri, and Sapeliga Community in the Bawku West Districts respectively, following the notification of a suspected anthrax outbreak to the region on May 31, 2023, it was noted that two (2) samples taken from two (2) cattle tested positive for anthrax.
“Therefore, an outbreak of anthrax has been confirmed in these two (2) Districts,” it stated.
The Office of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council noted that as of Friday, 2nd June 2023, seven (7) cattle and twenty-three (23) sheep and goats had been confirmed dead in the two (2) named above communities.
Among humans, it said as of 5th June 2023, thirteen (13) suspected human anthrax cases including one (1) death had been reported from Bansi Community in the Binduri District, adding that eleven (11) human samples have been sent to Pong-Tamale Veterinary Laboratory and are awaiting Laboratory results.
Subsequently, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Yakubu also at a press briefing made it known that vaccination had started, adding that after 70 percent of the animals have been vaccinated, the butchers and abattoir operators can go back to work.