Ministry of Health Issues Warning on Anthrax Infections from Animals to Humans
The Ministry of Health has called for increased communication on preventing anthrax infections transmitted from animals to humans, particularly in high-risk areas and among those involved in raising, trading, and slaughtering cattle.
According to a report from the Disease Control Center of Điện Biên Province, between May 5 and May 30, three cutaneous anthrax outbreaks were recorded in Tủa Chùa District, with 13 cases reported in Mường Báng Commune (1 outbreak) and Xá Nhè Commune (2 outbreaks). No fatalities have been reported thus far.
All infected cases had epidemiological histories linked to the slaughter and consumption of buffalo and cattle meat.
To proactively prevent the transmission of anthrax from animals to humans, on June 2, the General Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) issued an official letter urging the Director of the Điện Biên Department of Health to immediately direct local units to closely monitor the health status of individuals involved in the slaughter and consumption of buffalo and cattle from the same sources as the infected cases, as well as close contacts of these patients. Timely prevention and treatment measures should be implemented. The Department was also instructed to strengthen surveillance, promptly detect suspected anthrax cases, and handle environmental disinfection in outbreak areas according to regulations.
Local units were advised to enhance coordination with veterinary agencies and related sectors in monitoring and detecting anthrax in animals to enable timely preventive measures for humans and to collaborate in investigating and managing anthrax outbreaks in animals.
The Ministry of Health further emphasized the need for heightened communication about measures to prevent anthrax transmission from animals to humans, with a particular focus on high-risk areas and individuals involved in cattle farming, trading, and slaughtering. Residents are strongly advised against slaughtering or consuming meat from sick or dead buffalo, cattle, or horses of unclear origin.
Healthcare facilities in affected areas must be ready to effectively isolate, admit, and treat patients and promptly inform the Disease Control Center for investigation and outbreak management.
The General Department of Preventive Medicine also requested that the Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology guide and support local authorities in investigating, monitoring, and following up on suspected cases and close contacts of infected individuals. Outbreaks must be managed in accordance with regulations. The Institute was further instructed to assist with confirmatory testing of specimens from suspected human cases and to consider providing training to improve local capacity for surveillance, detection, investigation, and management of anthrax outbreaks in humans while coordinating with the veterinary sector.
Source: Thùy Giang (Vietnam+)
){kind=icon}
){kind=icon}
){kind=icon}
){kind=icon}