In a statement, Health County Executive Jonah Mwangi stated that a joint inspection team has also suspended the licenses of meat transporters from the affected slaughterhouse pending further vetting/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 – The Kiambu County Government has imposed a quarantine within Thika sub-County following a suspected outbreak of Anthrax in the region.
In a statement, Health County Executive Jonah Mwangi stated that a joint inspection team has also suspended the licenses of meat transporters from the affected slaughter house pending further vetting.
He further issued a warning that all meat transporters handling uninspected meat will be prosecuted and their licenses revoked.
“After suspected cases were admitted in our hospitals, the patients were isolated and promptly placed on treatment,” he said.
“The joint inspection team has since suspended licenses of the meat transporters from the slaughter house pending further vetting,” he stated.
The affected patients are meat transporters at the Thika Municipal slaughterhouse.
Mwangi dispelled fears of an outbreak saying none of the remaining 20 employees at the facility have exhibited symptoms of the disease.
Anthrax is a life-threatening disease that normally affects animals especially ruminants.
It can be transmitted to humans by contact with infected animals or their products.
Mwangi said the abattoir has been closed indefinitely pending further investigations by the disease surveillance team.
He stated that the team will work with public health directorate and the directorate of veterinary services. “The building will be disinfected and will remain closed until Monday, May 15.”
The CEC urged the public to buy meat only from licensed butcheries and ensure meat and meat products are properly cooked.
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