Health Ministry warns of latest anthrax outbreaks
VOV.VN - The Department of Preventive Medicine under the Health Ministry has sent a dispatch requesting that the mountainous border province of Dien Bien’s Department of Health take epidemic prevention and control steps after the discovery of three outbreaks of human anthrax in Tua Chua district.
According to the report produced by The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of Dien Bien, from May 5 to May 30 Tua Chua district recorded a total of three outbreaks of skin anthrax with 13 patients showing 13 cases of anthrax infections.
All cases had an epidemiological history related to slaughtering and eating buffalo and cow meats. Fortunately, no deaths were recorded in the outbreak.
The Department of Preventive Medicine proposed efforts aimed at closely monitoring the health of those engaged in the slaughter and consumption of the same source of buffalo and cow meat, as well as the infected cases and those in close contact with anthrax patients, to prevent the further spread of disease.
Simultaneously, the Dien Bien health department is also required to implement environmental treatment in outbreak areas in order to prevent new infections emerging.
Communication on measures aimed at preventing the transmission of anthrax from animals to humans must be enhanced, especially in high-risk areas and those who raise, trade, and slaughter buffaloes and cows.
People have been recommended not to slaughter and eat dead buffaloes, cows, and horses of unknown sources.
Anthrax is a highly infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a type of gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria. Humans can contract anthrax by interacting with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
Anthrax can cause severe illness in both humans and animals.