Participants at the Training in a group picture

FAO improves anthrax surveillance in the Upper East Region with training to strengthen the animal health surveillance system in Ghana.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), through its Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD), has supported a two-day training to improve anthrax surveillance in the Upper East Region of Ghana, in partnership with the Veterinary Service Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The training is aimed at building the capacity of veterinary staff, public health officers, and environmental health officers to detect and respond to anthrax outbreaks. This collaboration follows the alarming outbreak of anthrax, affecting all districts in the region and resulting in the death of 100 animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, as of 3 July 2023.

The situation has raised concerns, prompting a call for intensive risk communication activities to guide the population in adopting behaviours that limit the transmission of the disease. Gaps in anthrax surveillance, particularly in sample collection and transport, along with a lack of knowledge on anthrax surveillance, and case definition, have been identified.

FAO is committed to helping Ghana prevent and control anthrax

Anthrax, a bacterial disease that affects livestock and humans, has been on the rise in the Upper East Region in recent years. The current outbreak, which occurred in May 2023.  Was confirmed in six districts out of the 15 districts in the region and has caused anxiety among the population. The training focused on improving sample collection, storage, transportation, and testing for anthrax. It will also cover early case detection and proper disposal of suspected anthrax carcasses.

“We are pleased to support this training, which will help to improve the detection and control of anthrax in the Upper East Region,” said representative of FAO ECTAD Country Team Leader, Garba Ahmed, “Anthrax is a serious disease that can have a devastating impact on livestock and human health. By improving surveillance, we can better protect the livelihoods of farmers and the health of the population.”

The training is expected to benefit over 70 participants from all districts in the Upper East Region. Participants will receive hands-on training in sample collection, storage, transportation, and testing. They will also learn about early case detection and proper carcass disposal.

“We believe that this training will make a significant contribution to improving anthrax surveillance in the Upper East Region,” said Dr Danso Fenteng, a representative of the Director of Veterinary Services (DVS).

The specific objectives of the FAO-supported initiative include building the capacity of veterinary staff at the zonal and district levels on anthrax surveillance in the region, including public and environmental health officers. The initiative also aims to enhance early case detection of anthrax and proper disposal of suspected anthrax carcasses and to improve the quality of sample collection, storage, transportation, and testing.

The collaboration between FAO and the Veterinary Service Directorate of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture aims to fortify the region's ability to respond effectively to Anthrax outbreaks, safeguarding both animal and human health. FAO remains committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen global capacities in disease prevention and surveillance.