The Upper East Regional Coordinating Council has placed a one-month ban on the movement of small ruminants and cattle along the Eastern corridor of the region, following an outbreak of anthrax in parts of that area.
A statement by the Co-ordinating Council said the affected areas are Bawku Municipality, Bawku West, Pusiga, Garu, Tempane, and Binduri Districts.
The action, the statement noted, follows the outbreak of anthrax in the Eastern part of the region, namely: the Bansi Community in Binduri District and Sapeliga Community in Bawku West District.
As of Friday, 2nd June, seven cattle and 23 sheep and goats were confirmed dead in the Bansi and Sapeliga communities.
Among humans, there were 13 suspected cases, including one death, reported from Bansi Community. Eleven human samples have been sent to the Pong-Tamale Veterinary Laboratory and are awaiting results.
The statement further directed the Regional Directorate of the Veterinary Service to immediately commence mass vaccination of all ruminants in the Bansi and Sapeliga communities.
At an emergency meeting of the Regional Public Health Emergency Management Committee held on yesterday to examine the suspected outbreak of anthrax in the Eastern part of the region, some decisions were adopted to curb the spread of the bacteria.
The statement signed by the Chief Director, Alhaji Abubakar Inusah asked the Municipal and District Chief Executives to ensure that slaughtering, sales and consumption of such animals are banned for a period of one month effective today. Meanwhile, the Police have been instructed to apprehend or arrest any person or group of persons who flout the directive.