DA confirms anthrax in Cagayan; 4 carabaos die; 22 people isolated

By Leander C. Domingo

SANTO NIÑO, Cagayan -- The Dept. of Agriculture Regional Field Office 2 has confirmed cases of anthrax disease in the province of Cagayan, particularly in this town with four carabaos dead and 22 people isolated.
    The DA-RFO2 headed by Region 2 Executive Director Narciso Edillo said this was confirmed after thorough investigation conducted by the Provincial Veterinary Office on four buffaloes that died in Barangay Calassitan in Santo Niño town.
    Other agencies joining the PVO investigation were the Municipal Agriculture Office of Santo Niño, DA-RFO2 Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and Animal Health and Welfare Unit of the Regulatory Division, and Dept. of Health in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley).
    Citing the report of the PVO Disease Surveillance Taskforce, Edillo said the PVO received information from the Livestock Technician of Santo Niño on Nov. 23, 2022, of the reportedly infected buffaloes.
    He said the four buffaloes were found to have symptoms of anthrax, such as sudden death, loss of appetite, lethargy or difficulty in moving, and hematuria, or the presence of blood in the urine.
    Based on the analysis on Dec. 16, 2022,  Edillo said it was confirmed the four buffaloes were indeed infected with anthrax.
    He said two of the buffaloes were slaughtered and the meat was sold by the owners to as far as Annafatan village in Amulung town in Cagayan.
    The DoH said it has recorded 73 people in Calassitan village in Santo Niño town who were exposed and 22 with cutaneous lesions or skin wounds who were already isolated and placed under observation.
    Meanwhile, about 60 people in Annafatan village were exposed to the infected meat from Calassittan village, and those exposed who did not show any symptoms of the disease were also placed under observation.        
    Dr. Manuel Galang Jr., the DA-RFO2 veterinarian, anthrax is a dangerous disease caused by a type of bacteria that develops from a "spore" called Bacillus anthracis.

"Ruminants such as buffalo, cows, goats, sheep and others are affected by this disease. Also among those affected are horses, pigs, dogs, cats and other wild herbivores," Galang said.

"Signs of anthrax in affected animals include sudden death, difficulty in breathing, fever, seizures, heart disease, bleeding and postmortem lesions," he added.

He said infection caused by anthrax can be transmitted to humans through cutaneous contact, indigestion and inhalation.

Blisters or lumps that itch, skin sores on the face, neck, arms and hands, fever, chills, dizziness, headache, body aches, sore throat, swelling of the neck or glands, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and others are the symptoms of human infection, Galang added.

Galang said anthrax can be prevented by vaccination and immediate disposal of dead animals by burning or burying them in a deep pit.

"Anyone who may acquire the disease can be cured through immediate medical intervention and the use of antibiotics," he said.

With this, Edillo called on everyone, particularly those in the agriculture sector, to be responsible in the care of animals and to immediately report to the authorities if there are any of the symptoms mentioned.

He said the DA-RFO2 is currently disseminating information on how to prevent the disease and what precautions should be taken in the event of an outbreak.

"The DA-RFO2 has also conducted an initial massive anthrax vaccination of animals-at-risk on December 16, 2022 in the affected areas," Edillo said.