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La Guajira Department
/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Guajira_Department
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Translation Google
ICA declares health emergency in La Guajira due to outbreak of anthrax
December 27, 2024
ICA declares health emergency in La Guajira due to outbreak of anthrax
Anthrax
is an infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacteria Bacillus anthracis
, present on all continents, which causes high mortality in ruminants.
It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it affects people and animals. For this reason, the ICA and health authorities in La Guajira work as a team to prevent, control and eradicate the disease and preserve public health.
This disease affects cattle, goats, sheep and people.
The ICA has made available the WhatsApp line 3242380738, so that communities, producers and marketers can report suspicions of sick animals or sudden death. In this way, timely attention will be provided by the ICA.
The disease is characterized by causing sudden death of animals in less than 24 hours or in other cases presents respiratory difficulty, fever, loss of muscle coordination, prostration and/or stiffness of the limbs.
Riohacha, La Guajira, December 27, 2024.
As a result of the inspection, surveillance and control activities carried out by the ICA in the municipality of Manaure, La Guajira, the presence of an outbreak of anthrax, also known as anthrax, was identified on a goat-producing property belonging to a Wayuu community, where the Institute applied the emergency protocols established to control the outbreak.
Therefore, by ICA Resolution 21020 of December 26, 2024, the entity declared a state of health emergency in the department of La Guajira and dictated measures to prevent and control the outbreak in the department.
From the moment the sudden death of animals on the property was reported, the ICA deployed a multidisciplinary group to address the situation and apply measures aimed at preserving the health of people and animals.
The ICA recommends that people whose premises show symptoms of any type of disease or sudden death of animals not handle them or use them for human consumption due to the high risk it poses to people's health and immediately notify the nearest local ICA office or the authorities in their municipality.
The authorities are on alert and have intensified surveillance measures in the region. The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the ICA, is implementing vaccination campaigns to protect livestock production and to educate communities about the risks associated with handling infected animals.
Surveillance and control measures
Monitoring of the entire susceptible population, accompanied by educational campaigns that encourage early identification of symptoms.
If sudden death of animals or clinical signs compatible with the disease occurs, the Colombian Agricultural Institute - ICA has enabled a WhatsApp line 3242380738, where deaths or the presence of signs that affect animals can be reported, thus guaranteeing timely attention by the ICA.
Vaccinate all susceptible animals within the peri-focal area and within a 5-kilometer radius of the affected area.
The ICA will maintain epidemiological surveillance activities in this area to ensure effective control.
The Ministries of Health, Agriculture, the ICA and regional authorities work together through the zoonosis council to conduct disease prevention workshops.
https://www.ica.gov.co/noticias/ica-declara-emergencia-sanitaria-laguajira