Nong Bua Lamphu: Livestock officials have confirmed that no animals have been found sick or dead from anthrax in Nong Bua Lamphu. The Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development reported that lab test results showed no presence of anthrax pathogens in samples from cattle and buffalo in Mukdahan Province. Veterinarians also did not find any animals in the area suffering from diseases, which led to the Lao government relaxing import restrictions on animals from Thailand, as the disease situation has improved. This was reported to the Minister of Agriculture. According to Thai News Agency, Veterinarian Somchuan Rattanamangkhalanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, responded to a case of a patient with unexplained blisters in Non Sang District, Nong Bua Lamphu Province. The Nong Bua Lamphu Provincial Livestock Office inspected Ban Sap Phu Kao, Village No. 13, Nong Ruea Subdistrict, where there are around 60-70 cows and 20 buffaloes. Veterinarians found no sick or dead animals. Officials collected samples, including blood and feces from cattle in the same herd as those slaughtered, and soil samples from the barn and slaughter area. These samples were sent to the Northeast Veterinary Research and Development Center in Khon Kaen Province for examination. Laboratory results showed no Bacillus anthracis bacteria, which causes anthrax, nor any other infectious diseases in domestic animals. The inspection results were communicated to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narumon Pinyosinwat, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture, Farming, and Forestry of the Lao People's Democratic Republic issued a letter on May 30, 2025, easing measures on the import and transport of animals from Thailand following the improved anthrax situation in Mukdahan Province. The letter from Lao PDR allows the import of cattle, buffalo, horses, pigs, sheep, and goats from disease-free areas, with a requirement that all animals be vaccinated against anthrax at least 20 days be fore import. Import and transit of animals or products from Mukdahan Province into Laos will be paused for another 30 days, and imported animals must undergo a 21-day quarantine before joining the herd. Animals sent to a third country must not have stops or vehicle changes within Lao PDR. The Department of Livestock Development has affirmed its commitment to monitor animal diseases strictly and work closely with neighboring countries to ensure animal health safety, thus reinforcing confidence in Thailand's livestock system. The latest update from the Nong Bua Lamphu Provincial Public Health Office indicated that patient samples suspected of anthrax infection showed no anthrax genetic material. The Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, certified these results on May 31, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. The Communicable Disease Control Group has informed the governor and relevant agencies of these findings.
Menu