Anthrax outbreak: MP for Binduri appeals to residents to adhere to measures of containment

The Member of Parliament for Binduri, Abanga Abdulai has appealed to residents to adhere strictly to safety measures rolled out to prevent the spread of the anthrax outbreak.

This comes after one individual was confirmed dead of suspected anthrax in the Binduri District of the Upper East Region after eating the carcass of an anthrax-infected dead cow.

Health workers have also begun contact tracing of eleven people believed to have eaten the carcasses of the anthrax-infected cows.

Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Mr Abdulai expressed his deepest condolence to the deceased’s family and wished affected patients a speedy recovery.

He also urged all constituents to remain calm whilst the experts and essential stakeholders continue with ongoing efforts to contain the situation.

“I appeal to all constituents to take the necessary precautions and follow prevention and containment measures rolled out by the health authorities and the Veterinary Services Department (VSD). l am aware that there are other suspected cases and that contact tracing has been activated. The government has responded expeditiously by making enough vaccines and medicines available to contain the outbreak and prevent escalation. The Ministry of Health and the VSD have since started mass vaccination of livestock, whilst treatment of those infected is ongoing.”

“I have also provided support to both the Ghana Health Service and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) in the Binduri District to enable them to manage the situation efficiently and expeditiously. It remains our desire and commitment to ensure that all our people are safe to enable them to continue with their daily endeavours.”

“I will entreat each and every one to report immediately to the nearest health facility upon noticing some or all of the following symptoms: Fever and chills, Chest Discomfort, Shortness of breath, Confusion or dizziness, Cough, Nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains, Loss of appetite, sweats (often drenching), headache and bloody diarrhoea.”

“As a matter of urgency, I will entreat all to avoid consuming or coming into contact with carcasses. In addition, I will encourage all to report any suspicious developments in livestock to other health authorities, VSD and security agencies for prompt action. We all, therefore, have a duty to ensure that the situation doesn’t get out of hand. The government will do all it can to deal with the situation expeditiously, and we count on each and every one in this collective fight.”

Source: newsalertgh.com