Cambodia has temporarily banned the import of livestock and related animal products from neighbouring Thailand in order to prevent anthrax outbreaks, according to a statement issued on Wednesday .
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries stated in a statement that it was closely monitoring the anthrax outbreak in some parts of Thailand.
“Currently, there are no cases of the disease reported in Cambodia, but as a precautionary measure, the ministry has imposed a temporary ban on the import of livestock and related animal products from all Thai border crossings,” the statement said.
It added that authorities have worked closely with relevant institutions at those border crossings to enforce the ban.
The statement said the General Department of Animal Health and Production has also set up a quick reaction network in all 25 cities and provinces with the aim of monitoring animal health and intervening in case of suspicion.
The Ministry of Health also issued a statement late on Tuesday, calling on people to be vigilant and authorities to step up health measures at border crossings to prevent the import of the disease into the kingdom.
“To date, the disease has not been detected in Cambodia,” the statement said.
Anthrax is a rare but dangerous infection caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacteria, according to the statement, with the disease primarily affecting livestock and wildlife.
Humans can become sick by coming into contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products, it added, adding that anthrax is not passed from person to person, but anthrax skin lesions can be contagious.
