Mukdahan authorities reject claim of additional anthrax fatality
MUKDAHAN - Contrary to some reports, only one death has been confirmed from the anthrax outbreak in Don Tan district. Health officials debunked claims of three fatalities, making headlines earlier, following a clarification on their Facebook page on the weekend.
Media outlets had heard from local livestock officials, allegedly stating that another person had perished from the disease. However, the public health office asserted that only one unfortunate individual lost their life - reported earlier in the week, marking Thailand's first anthrax-related death in over 30 years.
Upon closer inspection, three suspected cases were identified. PCR tests ruled out two candidates, leaving a single individual receiving treatment at Mukdahan Hospital as the potential third case.
The initial casualty triggered a joint effort from local and public health officials to contain the outbreak, tied to contaminated cattle in the region. In total, 638 individuals deemed at risk of exposure were administered antibiotics. This group includes those who butchered suspected beef and those believed to have consumed meat potentially harboring Bacillus anthracis.
Authorities also commenced mass vaccinations on Saturday for 124 cattle, adding to the 1,222 inoculated animals under quarantine, which account for approximately half of the confined livestock population. The entire herd stays within a 5-kilometer radius of the outbreak's suspected source.
To err on the side of caution, Don Tan district, neighboring Laos where numerous anthrax infections were reported last year, has been declared a disease control zone. Sanitation initiatives, inspections of animal health papers, and broader disease prevention protocols are underway, according to Mr Adichat.
Amidst the precautions, local vendors of beef are grappling with diminishing sales due to the confirmed cases.
Note: This article has been corrected since its initial publication at 3.06pm on Saturday. The headline previously read "Second person dies in Mukdahan anthrax outbreak*."
Beholding the anthrax-causing microorganism, Bacillus anthracis, under a microscope. (File photo)
Information to consider:1. Mukdahan health officials debunked claims of a third death from the anthrax outbreak in Don Tan district.2. Only one fatality was confirmed (reported earlier in the week).3. Three suspected anthrax infection cases were identified, two of which were later ruled out.4. The public health office emphasized the importance of preventive antibiotic treatment for those potentially exposed to the bacteria.5. Animal health documentation inspections are part of ongoing disease control measures.6. Sanitation efforts and vaccinations for livestock are being carried out to halt the spread of anthrax.7. Lower sales among local beef vendors are a result of confirmed anthrax cases.
- Despite reports suggesting three deaths from the anthrax outbreak in Don Tan district, Mukdahan health officials have confirmed only one fatality.
- The health officials clarified this information via their Facebook page, debunking claims of more deaths that were previously reported.
- Initial suspicions led to the identification of three potential anthrax infection cases, yet PCR tests disproved two of these.
- Individuals believed to have been potentially exposed to the anthrax-causing bacteria, Bacillus anthracis, have been administered preventive antibiotics.
- As part of ongoing disease control measures, animal health documentation inspections are now being carried out.
- Sanitation initiatives and mass vaccinations for livestock are being executed to halt the spread of anthrax in Don Tan district.
- These precautions have resulted in local beef vendors experiencing dwindling sales due to the confirmed anthrax cases.
