Mukdahan: The Department of Livestock is actively investigating the source of an anthrax outbreak in Mukdahan Province after a patient succumbed to the disease. The department has identified previous flooding in the border area with Laos as a potential factor in the disease’s spread and has imposed strict measures to control animal movement.
According to Thai News Agency, Veterinarian Somchuan Rattanamangkhalanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, has mobilized local livestock officials and the Phaya Thai task force to investigate the anthrax outbreak following the death of a 52-year-old man in Tambon Lao Mi, Amphoe Don Tan, Mukdahan Province, on April 30. The department has enacted limited disease control measures to prevent further spread.
The Department of Livestock Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health, is conducting a comprehensive disease investigation. Samples from animals and the surrounding environment have been collected and sent to a laboratory for testing. Results are anticipated within seven days to confirm the infection source and assess the associated risk.
The department has hypothesized two primary sources of the disease in Thailand: infection from sick animals, particularly cows, buffalo, or goats, which may contract the disease from contaminated food or water, and infection from environmental sources. Bacillus anthracis spores can persist in soil for decades and may be reactivated and spread during floods or landslides.
The incident area is near the border with Lao PDR, where anthrax cases have been reported. Subsequent flooding may have introduced the disease into Mukdahan’s ecosystem. The Department of Livestock Development is analyzing data to understand the environmental factors that might have triggered the disease’s resurgence.
Veterinarian Boonyakrit Pinprasong, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, stated that the department has readied 9,000 doses of anthrax vaccine for at-risk animals, including cows, buffalo, goats, and sheep, in the affected area and other risk zones. Additional vaccines will be provided as required.
Currently, no infected animals have been detected in the region. Samples from slaughtering areas, herds, and meat storage have tested negative, and further environmental sample results are pending.
Control measures include prohibiting the killing and butchering of cattle and buffalo in risk zones, banning animal movement from the control area, and vaccinating at-risk animals against anthrax. Monitoring points have been established to control animal and carcass movement, and the public is advised against consuming meat from abnormal deaths.
Farmers are advised to monitor for symptoms such as high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, bleeding from the nose, mouth, or anus, abnormal swelling, and slow-clotting dark blood. Suspicious cases should be reported to local livestock officers or volunteers without moving or dissecting the animals.
The Department of Livestock is maintaining strict surveillance and control measures and urges farmers to cooperate by reporting sick or abnormally dead animals. Anthrax is treatable if addressed promptly, so the public is encouraged to remain vigilant and adhere to official guidance.