The Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr Yaw Frimpong Addo has made it known that the Veterinary College of Ghana, Pong Tamale has produced over 200,000 vaccines as at Wednesday, June 14, 2023 in response to the anthrax disease that has burst in the country.
He noted that when Covid-19 broke, the Veterinary College turned its laboratory to producing vaccines and after getting the required laboratory equipment, it uses the same equipment to produce other vaccines, including the ones being used to fight Anthrax.
According to him, as of Wednesday, the vaccines were being administered to all the cattle in the various districts in order to contain the disease.
Read Also: Anthrax outbreak: Consumption of goat and cow meat banned for one month
He said this on Atinka TV’s morning show, Ghana Nie in an interview with Ama Gyenfa Ofosu Darkwa.
Anthrax disease was first discovered in the Upper East Region.
Following the outbreak, authorities from the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council banned movement of all small ruminants including sheep, goat, pigs, cattle and dogs from the Eastern corridor of the Region, thus Bawku Municipality, Bawku West, Pusiga, Garu, Tempane and Binduri Districts.
It also directed the Municipal and District Chief Executives to ensure that slaughtering, sales and consumption of cattle, sheep, goats and dogs were banned for a period of one (1) month effective 6th June, 2023.
Despite the warning, Mr Yaw Frimpong observed that some persons had killed and grilled some of the animals and transported them to the Southern Part of Ghana.
Cattle: Veterinary College, Pong Tamale produces over 200,000 vaccines to fight Anthrax.
Meanwhile, he said as of Wednesday, about 94 cattle had been reported dead.
Aside from that, reports have also indicated that three persons have already died from the disease.
Mr Yaw Frimpong therefore encouraged people to stop chewing meat until the area they purchase is declared an anthrax free zone.
“We all have to be careful because if it is the same virus that killed that animal, even when you grill it and eat, you will be infected.
Also, he said there were some designated abattoirs that check all the animals before they kill it, urging those who cannot do without meat to at least visit such places to purchase their meat when they need to.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori