Latest news with #Mukdahan
The Sun
6 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Major anthrax outbreak at holiday hotspot after one dead and four hospitalised – and signs of infection to spot
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. 3 3 3 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. Mystery 'Island of Death' where visitors are BANNED after WW2 experiments 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. Signs of anthrax infection What is anthrax? Anthrax is caused by a spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis and typically affects cows, sheep and goats but can also spread to people. The bacteria produce potent toxins which are responsible for the symptoms. The most common form is anthrax of the skin, when spores get into cuts or scratches, leading to black bumpy sores, headaches, muscle aches, fever and vomiting. Gastrointestinal anthrax is caught from eating meat from an infected animal and can lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and severe diarrhoea. The rarest and most severe form of human anthrax is when the spores reach the lungs, which can cause severe breathing problems. Inhaled anthrax, if untreated, can have a fatality rate as high as 90 per cent.
Malay Mail
15-05-2025
- Malay Mail
Kelantan on high alert: Anthrax fears drive border clampdown on illegal livestock ahead of Aidiladha
KOTA BARU, May 15 — Kelantan police have tightened border security to curb cattle smuggling ahead of Hari Raya Aidiladha, following reports of anthrax-related deaths in Thailand earlier this month. Kelantan police chief Datuk Mohd Yusoff Mamat said his department is working closely with relevant agencies, including the Department of Veterinary Services and border authorities, to prevent the illegal entry of livestock into the country. 'The deaths have been linked to the slaughter and consumption of raw meat in Don Tan district, Mukdahan province, Thailand, which borders Laos, according to a report by Thailand's Department of Disease Control. 'Kelantan police continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, patrols and inter-agency cooperation to safeguard national security and combat smuggling,' he told reporters after the monthly assembly at the Kelantan police contingent headquarters today. Mohd Yusoff also reminded operators and livestock farmers not to bring in cattle through illegal routes and to use only authorised checkpoints at the ICQS Complex to ensure proper health screening is conducted. He stressed that livestock smuggling not only harms the local livestock industry but also poses a risk of spreading infectious diseases to humans. Mohd Yusoff added that the Border Security Coordination Committee's Working Group Meeting with the National Security Council has identified the need to enhance enforcement against livestock smuggling activities. Between 2024 and April 2025, a total of 390 cows and 25 buffaloes were seized in 36 cases, with an estimated value of nearly RM4 million. In a related development, Mohd Yusoff confirmed that police have received information regarding alleged abuse of power involving border enforcement personnel. 'Preliminary information indicates possible misconduct related to smuggling, including livestock. A special task force has been formed and investigations are underway by the Kelantan police intelligence division,' he said. — Bernama
The Independent
08-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Thailand warns of ‘deafness fever' outbreak linked to raw pork
Thailand has issued nationwide health alerts after confirmed outbreaks of anthrax and Streptococcus suis, a bacterial infection locally known as 'deafness fever', from eating or handling raw pork. Public health authorities in the Mukdahan province have identified three confirmed anthrax cases so far, Pattaya Mail reported. While one of the patients has since died, the other two are being treated in local hospitals. Surveillance has been ramped up across the region and 636 people traced as having had contact with the infected persons, the media outlet reported. Of those, 538 have completed a mandatory week of monitoring for symptoms affecting the skin and the gastrointestinal tract. The remaining 98 people remain under observation and are receiving a preventative course of Doxycycline. Anthrax, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, is typically contracted by contact with infected animals or contaminated soil. It does not spread between people. The resilient spores of the bacterium can persist in the environment for decades. Health officials have urged the public to consume only cooked beef and avoid having raw or undercooked meat. Separately, a surge in Streptococcus suis infections in the Phrae province has caused 14 confirmed cases and at least two deaths, public health minister Somsak Thepsuthin said. The bacterial illness, dubbed 'deafness fever' due to its potential to cause permanent hearing loss, has been linked to the consumption of traditional raw pork dishes such as larb moo, a spicy minced pork salad. Mr Thepsuthin said most patients had recently consumed raw pork, especially larb moo. He advised that individuals experiencing high fever and muscle pain, especially those who might have handled or eaten raw pork, should urgently seek medical care. 'Prompt treatment is crucial, as Streptococcus suis infection can cause permanent hearing loss if it is left untreated,' the public health ministry said in an advisory. Mr Thepsuthin said that inter-agency coordination was underway to monitor the situation and maintain public confidence, and regular updates would be issued as investigations progressed. Health authorities, meanwhile, continue to emphasise food safety and proper preparation of meat as key steps to prevent further spread.
