Department of Disease Control Warns: Consumption of Undercooked Meat or Handling of Dead Animals of Unknown Cause May Lead to Death from Anthrax
The Department of Disease Control (DCC) under the Ministry of Public Health is warning the public to avoid consuming undercooked meat and to refrain from butchering or handling carcasses of animals that have died from unknown causes—especially cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep. In any case of sick or suspiciously dead animals, the public is urged to immediately notify livestock officers, public health officials, or local authorities such as village heads, in order to prevent the spread of anthrax. The Department emphasized that while the situation is under control, public cooperation is essential, and there is no need for panic.
The Department of Disease Control (DCC) under the Ministry of Public Health is warning the public to avoid consuming undercooked meat and to refrain from butchering or handling carcasses of animals that have died from unknown causes—especially cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep. In any case of sick or suspiciously dead animals, the public is urged to immediately notify livestock officers, public health officials, or local authorities such as village heads, in order to prevent the spread of anthrax. The Department emphasized that while the situation is under control, public cooperation is essential, and there is no need for panic.
On May 1, 2025, Phanumart Yanawetsakul, M.D., Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, addressed the recent death from anthrax in Mukdahan Province. The deceased was a 53-year-old male construction worker with underlying diabetes. He developed a lesion on his right hand on April 24 and was admitted to the hospital on April 27 with symptoms including blackened skin lesions, swollen lymph nodes under his right armpit, dizziness, and seizures. He later died during treatment. Physicians suspected anthrax and collected clinical samples, which were tested at the Department of Medical Sciences and Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute. Laboratory results confirmed the presence of Bacillus anthracis.
Phanumart Yanawetsakul, M.D., Director-General of the Department of Disease Control,
Preliminary epidemiological investigation suggests that the patient had participated in butchering a cow during a community religious ceremony. The meat was later distributed for consumption among villagers. In response, the DCC's Rapid Response Team, in collaboration with the Office of Disease Prevention and Control 10 (Ubon Ratchathani), the Mukdahan Provincial Public Health Office, and the Department of Livestock Development, conducted field investigations. A total of 247 individuals were identified as exposed, including 28 people who participated in butchering and 219 who consumed raw beef. Preventive antibiotics have been administered to those at high risk, and disease control measures are actively ongoing.
Anthrax is a serious zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. Its spores are highly resilient and capable of surviving in the environment for years. Primary reservoirs include ruminant animals such as cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep. Human infection commonly occurs through direct contact with infected animals or their remains, consumption of undercooked contaminated meat, or exposure to infected animal products. Symptoms typically appear within 1 to 5 days, and may include fever, nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, skin ulcers resembling cigarette burns, and respiratory distress. In severe cases, the mortality rate can be as high as 80%.
In Thailand, 15 anthrax cases were reported in 2000 (14 in Phichit, 1 in Phitsanulok), with no deaths. The 2017 outbreak in Tak Province involved two patients who had butchered a goat imported from Myanmar. In 2024, Laos reported 129 anthrax cases with one death, while in May 2023, Vietnam reported three outbreaks, with 13 cases and 132 close contacts, all linked to the consumption of beef and buffalo meat.
Phanumart Yanawetsakul, M.D., provided the following preventive recommendations: avoid direct contact with cattle, buffaloes, goats, and sheep; wash hands and shower after handling animals; consume only certified safe meat; report unusual animal illness or deaths immediately to livestock officials; and seek prompt medical attention if any suspicious symptoms occur.
Source:
- The Department of Disease Control (DCC)
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