Warning! Contact with sick animals may lead to anthrax infection

Warning! Contact with sick animals may lead to anthrax infection
      Anthrax is not a new disease. It has been known for a long time and is referred to by locals as “Kalee Disease.” It is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can be found in soil and in animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, and horses. Humans can become infected through direct contact with infected animals or animal products.

There are 3 main transmission routes : 

• Through the skin : Contact with infected animals, carcasses, or animal products like wool
• Through the respiratory tract : Inhalation of spores – rare but often fatal
• Through ingestion : Eating undercooked or contaminated meat

Symptoms to watch out for : 

• Red, raised bumps on the skin that develop into black scabs (like cigarette burns)
• High fever, chills, coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing
  
• Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea (possibly with blood)

      Anthrax can be treated effectively with timely diagnosis and antibiotics such as penicillin or ciprofloxacin. Delayed treatment may lead to severe complications or death.

How to protect yourself :

• Avoid contact with cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep
  
• Wash hands and shower after handling animals
  
• Consume only certified safe meat from approved sources
  
• Report any unusual livestock deaths to veterinary authorities immediately
  
• See a doctor if you experience any suspicious symptoms

      Current Situation: A fatal case of anthrax has been reported in Mukdahan province. The patient was a 53-year-old man with diabetes. He developed lesions on his right hand on April 24, 2025, and was admitted to the hospital on April 27. The wound turned black, lymph nodes under his arm were swollen, and he experienced fainting and seizures before passing away. An investigation by livestock officials identified 247 people at risk: 28 involved in slaughtering cattle and 219 who consumed raw beef. The suspected cause was slaughtering a cow during a local ceremony and distributing the raw meat in the village.

Source: Ministry of Public Health, Department of Livestock Development

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