Anthrax alert at Thai-Lao border after human infections reported in Laos

The Livestock Development Department has warned cattle raisers be on alert for anthrax, after three Laotians living in Champasak province in southern Laos are reported to have fallen sick after eating raw beef.

Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, the department’s director-general, said that livestock officials, based in north-eastern provinces bordering with Laos, have been instructed to prepare to vaccinate cattle.

He added that cattle farmers have also been instructed to report immediately to livestock officials in their localities if any of their cattle, goats or sheep become sick and die rapidly and must not move, slaughter or eat such animals.

Kaenika Oonchit, deputy spokesperson for Government House, said that officials, based at animal quarantine centres along Thai-Lao border, have been ordered to strengthen order controls, to prevent smuggling of cattle, goats or sheep or their meat into Thailand.

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacterium. It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals. Humans can become infected through direct or indirect contact with sick animals. There is no evidence that anthrax is transmitted from person to person, but it is possible that anthrax derived skin lesions may be contagious through direct contact or through contact with a contaminated object.