Community First Anthrax Case Detected in Sa Kaeo, Health Officials to Investigate Source

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Matichon.

 

Health authorities in Sa Kaeo province have confirmed the first human case of anthrax in the region and are deploying an investigation team to the area to prevent further transmission and identify potential sources of infection.

 

Dr. Tharapong Kapko, Chief Public Health Officer of Sa Kaeo, stated that the case involves a 53-year-old male woodcutter from Tha Yaek subdistrict in Mueang Sa Kaeo district. The man is currently receiving treatment at a Pattaya Hospital, in Chonburi, where laboratory tests confirmed infection with Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium that causes anthrax.

 

According to Dr. Tharapong, the patient presented with lesions on his head, neck, arms and legs. A detailed history revealed that he regularly consumes raw meat dishes such as “koi” and “soi ju,” and had eaten raw meat roughly one week before falling ill. Authorities suspect the infection was contracted through the consumption of undercooked or contaminated meat from a diseased animal.

 

On 2 June, a field epidemiology team comprising staff from the Communicable Disease Control Unit of the Sa Kaeo Provincial Health Office, the Mueang Sa Kaeo District Health Office, Somdet Phra Yupparat Sa Kaeo Hospital, and the Tha Yaek Subdistrict Health Promotion Hospital began investigations in the local community. The team will trace individuals who may have come into contact with the patient or shared similar exposure risks, and implement preventive measures.

 

Dr. Tharapong has issued a public health warning to residents of Mueang Sa Kaeo and surrounding areas. He urged the public to:

 

• Avoid contact with sick or dead cattle, buffaloes, goats, or sheep.

• Wash hands and body thoroughly after handling animals.

• Consume only thoroughly cooked meat from certified sources.

• Report any unusual animal deaths to livestock authorities.

• Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as fever, skin lesions, or respiratory difficulties occur.

 

“Anthrax is a serious zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. Its spores can survive in the environment for years and may infect humans through contact with infected animals, consumption of raw or undercooked meat, or handling contaminated animal hides or wool,” Dr. Tharapong explained.

 

He added that the incubation period ranges from 1 to 5 days, with early symptoms including fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and skin lesions resembling cigarette burns. In severe cases, patients may suffer respiratory distress and the fatality rate can reach 80%. Fortunately, there are no documented cases of human-to-human transmission of anthrax.

 

Health officials continue to monitor the situation and are working to contain any potential outbreak.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Matichon 2025-06-03.

 

 

 

[hotchilli]

Yuk...

[Georgealbert]

UPDATE
No New Anthrax Cases Detected in Sa Kaeo as Health Authorities Intensify Surveillance

 

Pictures courtesy of Kaoded.

 

Health officials in Sa Kaeo province have confirmed that no new cases of anthrax have been detected following the discovery of the province’s first confirmed patient, a 53-year-old male woodcutter who was hospitalised in Chonburi. Laboratory results confirmed anthrax infection on 1 June. In response, local and national health agencies have launched a thorough investigation and decontamination effort in affected areas.

 

Dr Tharapong Kapko, Sa Kaeo’s Provincial Public Health Chief, revealed that the Ministry of Public Health’s epidemiology team, alongside animal health and veterinary departments, conducted an emergency meeting and field operations on 3 June. The team included representatives from the Department of Disease Control, Animal Quarantine Office, Veterinary Research Centre, and local public health units.

 

Field teams were deployed to five key sites in Tha Yaek Subdistrict. These included:

 

1. Disinfection of the patient’s home, bed area and bathroom.

2. Collection of soil samples from the eucalyptus plantation where the patient worked and from a nearby cattle pen.

3. Sampling from a co-worker’s home where raw meat was reportedly prepared on 9 April 2025.

4. Administration of antibiotics and vaccines to cattle and buffalo in surrounding areas.

5. A retrospective review of medical records from the past five years at Somdet Phra Yuparat Sa Kaeo Hospital to identify any previously unrecognised anthrax-like symptoms.

Soil samples were divided into two sets for testing: one sent to the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Mahidol University and the other to the Animal Health Institute.

 

As of 3 June, no additional human or animal cases have been identified. A social media post showing images of skin lesions raised public concern, but a clinical investigation confirmed that the individual did not have anthrax. The patient had consumed raw meat, which initially heightened suspicion, but laboratory tests ruled out the disease conclusively.

 

In a bid to prevent further infections, the provincial health office has issued an urgent directive to all district hospitals and health centres. Health volunteers and staff at rural clinics have been instructed to closely monitor any unusual animal deaths or illnesses and to report them immediately to the Department of Livestock Development. Additionally, medical personnel are on alert for human cases displaying symptoms such as pustular skin lesions with black eschars resembling cigarette burns, a hallmark sign of cutaneous anthrax.

 

The livestock department has begun administering antibiotics and vaccines to cattle and buffalo within a 5-kilometre radius of the affected zone. This area currently houses 243 cows and 29 goats. Authorities are also planning a second round of disinfection at high-risk sites including animal slaughter locations, labour camps and cattle enclosures.

 

Officials emphasise that while the situation is under control, continued vigilance is crucial. Public cooperation is encouraged, particularly in refraining from consuming raw meat and reporting any suspicious illnesses in humans or animals.

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Kaoded 2025-06-04

 

 

 

 

 

[wensiensheng]

Slightly more worrying than the thousands of covid cases that keep getting headlines

[Grusa]

Am I alone in having some difficulty identifying the anatomical relationships of the body parts shown in the op picture?

[Watawattana]

Wonder if anyone there has been to the Scottish island of Gruinard...

[LennyW]

6 hours ago, Watawattana said:

Wonder if anyone there has been to the Scottish island of Gruinard...

Would have needed to been a long time ago, Gruinard was declared anthrax free and safe in 1990.

[Peterphuket]

On 6/4/2025 at 10:17 AM, Grusa said:

Am I alone in having some difficulty identifying the anatomical relationships of the body parts shown in the op picture?

No, you are not alone in this including myself but by the looks of it, it is normal for others.