Public warned against buying carabao meat amidst Anthrax detection

Tuguegarao, Cagayan – Though declared by the Department of Health as ‘controlled’ on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, the Provincial Veterinary Office of Cagayan reminded the public to be wary of buying carabao meat after some carabaos in the province were infected with the rare but deadly infectious disease called Anthrax.

In buying carabao meat, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Noli Buen said the public must see to it that they are only buying those that underwent inspections and those that were butchered in slaughter houses.

The veterinarian added that backyard slaughtering is not permitted since the virus is not only transmissible to animals but also to humans.

DOH earlier said the ‘zoonotic disease is transmitted from animal to human usually via direct skin contact or consumption of contaminated food or drink.’

Humans can also be infected through inhalation of anthrax spores.

“Bawal ang backyard slaughtering kaya’t huwag na natin katayin ang anumang namamatay na hayop. Ang talsik ng dugo sa kinatay na kalabaw na may anthrax ay nakakahawa sa tao at lalo na kapag nakain ang karne ng kalabaw kung saan ay posibleng ikamatay kung hindi nag-iingat o maagapan,” Dr. Buen explained in an interview with the Cagayan Provincial Information Office.

He added the virus of anthrax disease does not die instantly even after disinfection and can even thrive after a long period of time in the burial site of the animal infected with it.

Meantime, the veterinarian relayed there were 14 carabaos that died in Sto. Nino, Enrile Amulung, and Alcala. He said they will be conducting an investigation on the matter.

As recalled, four deaths among carabaos due to anthrax have been reported last month in Cagayan.

The number of individuals in Sto. Niño was also subjected to isolation with them, being exposed to the Anthrax-infected animals.

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