By Murtala Issah
Health and veterinary authorities have cautioned the public against consuming beef from the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region. This follows reports that carcasses of cattle that died under unusual circumstances in some communities in the district may have been smuggled into neighboring areas.
The affected communities include Singa, Tari, Somum, Nabeugu, Tunsungu, and parts of Tamale, raising serious concerns over potential health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated meat.
Preliminary investigations suggest that hundreds of cattle died shortly after being administered a combined anthrax and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) vaccine on September 4. Samples from the dead animals have been sent to the Veterinary Laboratory in Pong-Tamale, with test results expected.
In an interview with GBC News, Northern Regional Veterinary Officer Dr. Evans Nsoh confirmed that a team from the Veterinary Service has already been deployed to the area to assess the situation and collect further samples for analysis.
“We do not recommend that anyone consumes the dead carcasses,” Dr. Nsoh warned.
He further cautioned cattle dealers to “desist from moving animals from the affected area until investigations are complete and the situation is under control.”
Dr. Nsoh added that the Veterinary Service, the Ghana Health Service (GHS) — at both district and regional levels — and the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) are working collaboratively to contain the situation.
“The Veterinary Service, in collaboration with environmental health officers and the Ghana Health Service, is actively monitoring the situation. We are working closely with the RCC to bring this outbreak to a close,” Dr. Nsoh stated.
Health facilities on high alert
As a precaution, health facilities in the affected communities have been placed on high alert. Medical personnel have been advised to monitor and report any unusual illnesses or symptoms that could be linked to the consumption of potentially contaminated beef.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant, avoid purchasing meat from unapproved sources, and report any suspicious cases to the nearest health or veterinary office.
Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Environmental Health Officer, Sulemana Yakubu, has assured the public that environmental health officers are on the ground monitoring the situation. He emphasised that all approved slaughterhouses collaborate with environmental health officers to ensure the utmost safety of consumers.
