Authorities warn against contaminated beef from Savannah Region
Health and veterinary authorities have issued a public warning against the consumption of beef originating from the North Gonja District in the Savannah Region, following reports that carcasses of cattle that died under suspicious circumstances may have been smuggled into surrounding communities.
The affected areas include Singa, Tari, Somum, Nabeugu, Tunsungu, and parts of Tamale, raising serious concerns about potential health risks from contaminated meat.
Preliminary investigations indicate that hundreds of cattle died shortly after receiving a combined anthrax and Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) vaccine on September 4. Samples from the deceased animals have been sent to the Veterinary Laboratory in Pong-Tamale, with test results pending.
Speaking to GBC News, Northern Regional Veterinary Officer, Dr Evans Nsoh, confirmed that a team from the Veterinary Service has been deployed to the affected areas to assess the situation and collect further samples.
“We do not recommend that anyone consumes the dead carcasses,” Dr Nsoh warned. He also urged cattle dealers to “desist from moving animals from the affected area until investigations are complete and the situation is under control.”
According to Dr Nsoh, the Veterinary Service is working closely with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) at both district and regional levels, as well as the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC), to contain the outbreak.
“The Veterinary Service, in collaboration with environmental health officers and the Ghana Health Service, is actively monitoring the situation. We are working closely with the RCC to bring this outbreak to a close,” he stated.
Health Facilities on High Alert
As a precaution, health facilities in the affected communities have been placed on high alert. Medical personnel have been directed to monitor and report any unusual illnesses or symptoms that could be linked to the consumption of contaminated beef.
Residents are being urged to avoid purchasing meat from unapproved sources and to report any suspicious meat or illness cases to the nearest health or veterinary office.
Meanwhile, Northern Regional Environmental Health Officer, Sulemana Yakubu, has assured the public that environmental health teams are on the ground monitoring the situation closely. He emphasized that all approved slaughterhouses are working in coordination with environmental officers to ensure consumer safety.
