A suspected outbreak of anthrax has hit the Dissah community in the North Gonja District of the Savannah Region, leading to the sudden deaths of more than 180 cattle within 48 hours.
According to a report filed by the Regional Veterinary Officer to the Chief Veterinary Officer in Accra, the incident was first reported on 6 September 2025 after community members raised alarm over the unexplained deaths of cattle. A veterinary team dispatched to the area confirmed the situation and launched preliminary investigations.
The affected livestock population is estimated at 400 cattle spread across four kraals, with animals of all ages and sexes affected. Strikingly, the animals had been vaccinated only two days earlier, on 4 September 2025, with a mixture of anthrax spore vaccine procured from Nigeria and CBPP vaccine.
Investigations revealed that each bottle of anthrax vaccine was inappropriately mixed with 200 doses of CBPP vaccine, with each animal administered 1ml of the mixture. The vaccination was reportedly carried out by a Burkinabe Fulani herder.
Within 24 hours of the vaccination, 65 cattle had died. By the evening of 6 September, the death toll had climbed to about 180, with some of the carcasses slaughtered and transported across the White Volta towards Tamale. By the following morning, an additional 40 cattle had either died or were slaughtered.
Clinical signs observed before the deaths included fever, shivering, and sudden collapse within 12 hours. Post-mortem examinations showed bloating, bloody discharges from the nose and anus, and dark, tarry blood consistent with anthrax infection.
Authorities have since imposed a ban on livestock movement, slaughter of cattle, and sale of smoked meat in and around Daboya. Samples from the affected animals have been sent to the Pong-Tamale Veterinary Laboratory, with results expected within 72 hours. Meanwhile, 25 carcasses were buried under strict supervision on 8 September.
Given the zoonotic threat posed by anthrax, a District Emergency Team has been activated, while the Savannah Regional Health Directorate has begun daily monitoring. Plans are underway to conduct mass vaccination of ruminants within a 5km radius of Dissah, covering surrounding communities such as Lingbinsi, Tare, Singa, Gbasimba, Donkonpe, and Nabiangu. Community sensitisation campaigns are also being rolled out to educate residents on anthrax transmission and prevention.
The veterinary authorities have further called for the apprehension of the Fulani herdsman responsible for the unsafe vaccination that triggered the crisis. A budget of GHC 32,880 has been proposed to carry out the emergency vaccination programme.
As of 9 September, no new cattle deaths had been reported, although surveillance continues in the affected communities.
