The Member of Parliament for the Binduri has appealed to constituents to adhere strictly to containment measures outlined by government as efforts continue to address the anthrax outbreak in the constituency.
Government, he said, will do all it can to deal with the situation expeditiously but requires support from all residents.
On May 31, 2023, the Binduri District Health Directorate received notification from a Veterinary Officer concerning two cases of suspected human anthrax cases.
The situation resulted in the death of one person in Bansi following the consumption of infected cattle.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 7, 2023, Hon. Abanga Abdulai urged residents to report symptoms like 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 to the nearest health centre.
The Ministry of Health and the Veterinary Services Department (VSD), he said, have started vaccination of livestock while treatment of those infected is ongoing.
“It remains our desire and commitment to ensure that all our people are safe to enable them to continue with their daily endeavours.”
“I appeal to the media, religious bodies and traditional rulers to join efforts in sensitizing the general public on the various containment and safety measures and protocols outlined by the experts,” he appealed.
Below is the text of the statement
On May 31, 2023, the Binduri District Health Directorate received notification from a Veterinary Officer concerning two (2) cases of suspected human anthrax cases. The situation resulted in the death of one person in Bansi following the consumption of dead cattle.
I will like, first of all, to express my deepest condolence to the family of the deceased, and to wish the affected patients a speedy recovery. I wish to also urge 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).
I 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 in order 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 everyone 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. Jn addition, I will encourage all to report any suspicious developments in livestock to the 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 everyone in this collective fight,
I will want to commend the health authorities, the Animal Health Division of MOFA and other stakeholders for their commitment and dedication, This is proving very effective in curbing any further spread. I will urge them to continue to exhibit the patriotism and professionalism that they have brought to this. They can count on me for support as they discharge their duties.
Let me also use this opportunity to appeal to the media, religious bodies and traditional rulers to join efforts in sensitizing the general public to the various containment and safety measures and protocols outlined by the experts.
Signed
Hon. Abanga Abdulai,