Dr. Emmanuel Kwao Pecku, the Metropolitan Veterinary Officer for Tema and Kpone Katamanso, has announced that the Veterinary Service has successfully contained the spread of anthrax disease. Despite this achievement, he urged the public to promptly report any suspicious symptoms or deaths observed in livestock to the nearest veterinary service.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Dr. Pecku addressed concerns regarding the spread of the disease leading up to the Eid-ul-Adha celebrations. He assured the public that the Veterinary Service had conducted thorough inspections of livestock in the market, guaranteeing their safety.
“I have just come from one of the markets in Tema, and based on our inspections, I can confidently say that the animals are safe. From what I have observed, they are in good health,” he stated.
However, Dr. Pecku acknowledged that it was crucial not to underestimate the risk of spread or infection, particularly as some of the livestock came from neighboring countries. He commended the security services for their diligent monitoring, ensuring that livestock had proper movement permits.
In May 2023, cases of anthrax were reported in Talensi and Binduri in the Upper East Region, resulting in the deaths of 20 sheep and four cattle, with several others infected. Additionally, one person reportedly died after consuming meat from an infected animal. To contain the outbreak, the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council implemented a one-month ban on the transportation of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, and their byproducts throughout the region.
Anthrax, caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacteria, poses a risk to both humans and animals. Direct contact with infected livestock or their byproducts increases the likelihood of contracting the disease.
Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is the second and largest of the two major holidays celebrated in Islam, the other being Eid al-Fitr. It commemorates the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismail) as an act of obedience to God’s command. This significant occasion, observed annually on the tenth day of Dhu al-Hijjah according to the Islamic calendar, is marked by Muslims worldwide through the sacrificial offering of goats, sheep, or cattle.
The 2023 Eid-ul-Adha celebration falls on June 28 and coincides with the culmination of the hajj (pilgrimage) rites at Minā, Saudi Arabia, near Mecca, which is commemorated by Muslims around the globe.
