Community Villagers Fear Anthrax Outbreak After Three Cows Die Mysteriously in Loei

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

Residents of a rural village near the Thai-Laos border are gripped with fear following the sudden and unexplained deaths of three cows, sparking concerns of a possible anthrax outbreak.

 

Mr. Samai Rittisak, village headman of Kaewtaw Village, Moo 6, Na Di Subdistrict, Dan Sai District, received a report from local resident Mr. Jad Rittisak, 60, who had taken his cows to graze in forested land not far from the Hueang River, which lies near the Thai-Lao border. 

 

Shockingly, three female cows aged between three and five years old were found dead, each in separate spots no more than 20 metres apart. None of the animals showed any external wounds, and the cause of death remains unknown.

 

News of the incident spread rapidly through the village, raising fears among locals of a potential anthrax outbreak. In response, district authorities acted swiftly. At 10:30 on 2 May, Dan Sai District Chief Mr. Thanayut Yaikaew deployed administrative officers, medical personnel, and livestock officials to investigate.

 

Veterinary officials collected swab samples from the deceased animals and promptly buried the carcasses. While initial inspections did not reveal signs typically associated with anthrax, such as bleeding from natural orifices, the stiffness of the bodies raised some concern. Experts cautioned that only lab results from tissue samples would confirm the actual cause of death.

 

As a precaution, livestock officials disinfected the area where the cows were found and urged villagers to closely monitor their cattle for unusual symptoms. Locals have also been advised to temporarily refrain from consuming raw meat.

 

The community now awaits the test results with a mixture of anxiety and hope, as officials work to rule out the deadly zoonotic disease.

 

Related article:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1359368-anthrax-death-reported-in-mukdahan-province/

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-05-03.