Major anthrax outbreak at holiday hotspot after one dead and four hospitalised – and signs of infection to spot
More than 600 people exposed to infected meat are being monitored
BUG ALERT Major anthrax outbreak at holiday hotspot after one dead and four hospitalised – and signs of infection to spot
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A DEADLY anthrax outbreak has struck one of Thailand's top tourist areas, killing a man and hospitalising four others, health officials say.
Authorities are now racing to trace the source of the highly dangerous livestock disease and stop it from spreading.
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Laos in Thailand has been hit by an outbreak of anthrax
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The disease can leave large dark lesions on the skin
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All those infected in Thailand likely caught it through contact with infected cattle or animal products,
Credit: Reuters
Anthrax is a serious, life-threatening infection caused by spores of the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
Known for its links to bioterrorism, the spores can lie dormant in soil for decades before infecting humans through cuts or contact with animals.
All those infected in Thailand likely caught it through contact with infected cattle or animal products, local health authories have said.
The 53-year-old victim, from Mukdahan near the Laos border, died after developing a dark lesion on his hand days after slaughtering a cow on April 24.
By April 27, his lymph nodes had swollen and he suffered dizziness and seizures.
He sought treatment at Don Tan Hospital but died on April 30, just three days after first getting help, local reports say.
Lab tests confirmed anthrax infection.
This is Thailand's first anthrax death in 25 years.
Four others in the same province also fell ill, all linked to infected cattle or meat.
Three have recovered, while a fifth case was reported on May 28.
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Officials have quarantined animals, vaccinated cattle within five kilometres, and disinfected 23 high-risk households.
Samples from meat, knives, chopping boards, and soil tested positive for anthrax spores.
More than 600 people exposed to infected livestock or meat are being monitored.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) said local authorities had 'identified and provided post-exposure prophylaxis to all high-risk contacts,' and 'implemented a robust set of control measures.'
They added: 'Currently, due to the robust public health measures implemented by Thailand, the risk of international disease spread through animal movement remains low.'
But they warned of risks to trade and tourism if the outbreak isn't contained.
'Any decisions regarding international travel and trade should be based on a thorough risk assessment and should be proportionate to the actual public health risks involved.'
No travel advice has been issued by the UK government. In the UK, anthrax is rare but not unheard of.
NHS data shows three cases in England during 2023-2024, mostly inhalational anthrax or sepsis linked to drug use rather than cutaneous infections.
Thailand's health ministry has urged farmers not to slaughter sick animals and to cook meat thoroughly to prevent further infections.
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