Busia Veterinary Services Department is on high alert following a recent outbreak of the deadly Anthrax disease in Kisumu County.
In the reported outbreak at Nyamasaria area one person died, four others were hospitalized in critical condition while 40 others believed to have fed on the infected cow were treated and discharged.
The department has since embarked on a mass vaccination campaign of livestock including cattle, goats and sheep as a precautionary measure
against the spread of the disease into the county.
Speaking during the launch of the vaccination exercise at Burumba Dispensary in Matayos Sub County on Wednesday, County Director for Veterinary Services Allan Ogendo said anthrax can be fatal once a
person consumes a carcass of an infected animal.
“Anthrax is a zoonotic disease that can affect human beings. We are being proactive because we are neighbouring Kisumu and such do not know
when it can hit us,” Ogendo said explaining that the symptoms of the killer disease include body weakness and pains, fever and wounds.
The Director said the county government has highly subsidized the various livestock vaccinations noting that vaccination against anthrax is now done at a cost of Sh30 per animal, black quarter also at the same amount and
rabies at Sh100.
He said the vaccination campaign will be carried out in all the seven sub counties and urged farmers to always visit sub county veterinary offices for more information on vaccination services.
Anthrax is caused by a spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus anthracis.
It mainly affects livestock and wild game but humans can be infected through direct or indirect contact with sick animals.
By Melechezedeck Ejakait
