Anthrax scare in Omusati

UTSATSIMA – The State Veterinarian for the Omusati Region, Dr Lewis Sibanda, has called on people living near the Uutsatsima cattle post to refrain from eating the meat of cattle that have died of disease.

Sibanda made the call following reports of a suspected outbreak of anthrax in the Uutsatsima area, especially at Okanamupala cattle post, where more than 40 cattle have reportedly died. It is believed that close to 960 cattle are at risk of the disease at Okanamupala and the surrounding areas.Sibanda said his office had received unconfirmed reports that one had person died and other two were hospitalised after eating meat from a cow that died at Okanamupala.However, Sibanda stressed that it had not been confirmed that the people had contracted anthrax.”We still have to verify it with the medical officers,” he said.Sibanda told Nampa that veterinary officers were in the field urging people not to eat meat from cattle dying of unknown diseases and also to verify whether the cattle had died of anthrax.- NampaIt is believed that close to 960 cattle are at risk of the disease at Okanamupala and the surrounding areas.Sibanda said his office had received unconfirmed reports that one had person died and other two were hospitalised after eating meat from a cow that died at Okanamupala.However, Sibanda stressed that it had not been confirmed that the people had contracted anthrax.”We still have to verify it with the medical officers,” he said.Sibanda told Nampa that veterinary officers were in the field urging people not to eat meat from cattle dying of unknown diseases and also to verify whether the cattle had died of anthrax.- Nampa