(BSS) – Due to the outbreak of anthrax disease among cattle in different districts of Bangladesh, the Department of Livestock Services has taken urgent and coordinated activities to prevent and control the spread of anthrax disease.

Anthrax is a bacterial zoonotic disease that can be transmitted from cattle to humans, said a press release here today.

The local offices of the Department of Livestock Services, in coordination with the local administration, continues to vaccinate cattle, health checkups, courtyard meetings, street meetings, leaflet distribution and miking (consciousness raising campaign through loudspeaker) activities.

The department has published advertisements in national dailies to prevent anthrax disease of cattle and strengthen awareness raising activities in cooperation with the local administration.

In addition, special initiatives have been taken to monitor the affected areas at the field level, prevent the slaughter of sick animals and bring every animal on the farm under vaccination, said the release.

Under the “One Health” programme, public awareness raising activities are continuing in coordination with the local offices of Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Officials of the Department of Livestock Services are making the public awareness campaign through regular courtyard meetings and training workshops - not to slaughter sick animals, not to throw dead animals in open places or water rather to bury them deeply and in case of any animal-related illness, it is being advised to contact the nearest veterinary hospital or the Department of Livestock Services.

Rangpur and Gaibandha districts are being identified as areas of most affected by anthrax and a special vaccination programme is being implemented there.

The Livestock Research Institute (LRI) will soon supply about 30 lakh anthrax vaccines to Rangpur division, out of which 20 lakh vaccines will be sent to Rangpur and Gaibandha districts alone.

In nine upazilas of Rangpur district, 1,67,000 cows have been vaccinated so far.

In addition, courtyard meetings, street meetings and training and views-exchange meetings have been held.

Some 36 medical teams have been formed for health examination of cattle in 36 slaughterhouses of the district.

In addition, 32 medical teams have been formed to administer anthrax vaccination to cattle (17 in Mithapukur, 8 in Pirgachha and 7 in Kaunia).

In Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha district, 26,400 cows have been vaccinated. As a rapid preventive measure in the affected areas, cow burial, vaccination, miking, courtyard meetings and leaflet distribution activities have been completed.

With the help of the local administration, a fine amounting to TK 15,000 has been collected by conducting a mobile court and 5 veterinary medical teams have been formed.

Although all 11 blood samples tested negative, 10 out of 11 meat samples collected were found positive.

In addition, on the advice of the ministry, the Department of Livestock Services has formed a high-level investigation team to assess the source and situation of anthrax infection in Rangpur and Gaibandha districts. The team will visit the affected areas and submit a report soon.

In order to prevent anthrax, it will be possible to control this disease with the joint efforts of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Department of Livestock Services, local administration, DGHS , public representatives and the people .