Anthrax cases in Cagayan contained

By Leander C. Domingo

TUGUEGARAO CITY -- The Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office 2 (DA-RFO2) said the anthrax disease in Cagayan has already been contained, but they urged the public to be on their guard in tending their livestock.
    DA-RFO2 Executive Director Narciso Edillo said the affected localities and individuals in the towns of Santo Niño and Amulung are all in stable condition.
    He said the containment of the disease was due to the collaborative efforts of the Cagayan provincial government, the Department of Health and the local government units of Santo Niño and Amulung, which took immediate action upon receiving reports of a possible outbreak.
    "We are asking the public to remain vigilant and be observant in tending their livestock," Edillo said in his weekly radio program, which is the education radio station of the DA-RFO2.
    He also appealed to raisers to immediately report to local authorities and the nearest DA research center any abnormalities in their carabaos for proper evaluation and treatment.
    Edillo noted that information dissemination through flyers and brochures in spreading vital facts about the disease should also be written in the Ilocano language.
    On Nov. 23, 2022, DA-RFO2 Regulatory Division chief Remedios de la Rosa said two carabao mortalities and another two slaughtered were confirmed to have been infected with the anthrax disease.
    As a result, 73 individuals in Santo Niño town were reportedly exposed to anthrax, 22 of whom exhibited cutaneous lesions but have already recovered.
    Also recovered from the disease were 60 individuals in Barangay Annafunan in Amulung town, who were exposed to the carabao meat from Santo Niño town.
    Experts said anthrax is a dangerous disease caused by a type of bacteria that develops from a "spore" called Bacillus anthracis.
    Symptoms in an acute anthrax case among livestock include an abrupt fever (41.5C) and period of excitement, lethargy, stupor, respiratory or cardiac distress, staggering seizures, bloody discharge from body openings, and possible death.
    On the other hand, severe anthrax cases portray sudden onset of staggering dyspnea or difficulty in breathing with trembling, convulsive movements and death.
    According to Dr. Manuel Galang, DA-RFO2 Regulatory Division veterinarian, anthrax can be transmitted to humans through cutaneous contact, ingestion and inhalation.
    Galang said the symptoms of anthrax infection in humans include headache, fever, abdominal pain, dry cough and itchy skin lesions.
"Vaccination can prevent the disease as well as immediate burning or burying of dead animals in a deep pit," he added.