Sa Kaeo: The Sa Kaeo Provincial Livestock Office, in cooperation with the Provincial Public Health Office, has launched an urgent investigation into anthrax following confirmation of the first patient in the province. Initially, no animals have been found sick or deceased under unusual circumstances, but strict control measures are in place to prevent and control the disease in animals.
According to Thai News Agency, Veterinarian Somchuan Rattanamangkhalanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, reported that the Sa Kaeo Provincial Livestock Office, in conjunction with the Sa Kaeo Provincial Public Health Office and the District 2 Livestock Office, is investigating the disease. This follows the admission of a 53-year-old man from Mueang Sa Kaeo District to Pattaya Pathomkun Hospital in Chonburi Province on May 30, who was confirmed to be infected with Bacillus anthracis, the cause of anthrax.
Preliminary information reveals the patient regularly consumes raw meat such as Laab, Koi, and Soi Chu, purchased from local villagers and shared with neighbors. He also regularly drinks alcohol but has no history of raising ruminants or contact with sick or dead animals, nor has he traveled to regions where the disease is spreading.
Despite no reports of abnormal animal illnesses or deaths in the area, the Sa Kaeo Provincial Livestock Office has enforced strict control measures. These include co-investigating the disease in risk zones, collecting samples from animals and the environment for laboratory testing, and informing the public about the dangers of consuming raw meat.
Additionally, the Animal Quarantine Checkpoint of Sa Kaeo Province has been mobilized to prepare disinfectant and vehicles for spraying, while closely monitoring and controlling animal movement in the surrounding area to prevent the disease from spreading to other animals or leading to a widespread outbreak.