MUKDAHAN, Thailand – May 2, 2025 –
The Thai government has intensified its response to a Zoonotic anthrax outbreak in Don Tan District, Mukdahan Province, after a second confirmed case and one death were reported, marking the country’s first anthrax-related fatality in decades. The outbreak, linked to the consumption of undercooked beef during a religious festival, has prompted a public health and livestock containment strategy to curb the spread of the deadly zoonotic disease.
On April 30th, a 53-year-old male construction worker with underlying diabetes succumbed to anthrax in Mukdahan Hospital after developing severe symptoms, including a necrotic lesion on his right hand, swollen lymph nodes, and seizures. The patient, who had slaughtered and consumed raw beef on April 24, was initially treated at Don Tan Hospital before his condition deteriorated. Laboratory tests confirmed infection with Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium responsible for anthrax. A second case, a close contact of the deceased, was confirmed on May 2, with the patient currently receiving treatment and expected to recover. Three additional suspected cases are under investigation, with results pending.
The Mukdahan Provincial Public Health Office has identified 638 individuals potentially exposed to the infection, including 36 who participated in butchering livestock and 472 who consumed raw or undercooked beef. All are receiving a seven-day course of doxycycline as a preventive measure. “All individuals who may have been in contact with infected meat are being monitored,” the Thai Ministry of Public Health stated, reminding the public that anthrax does not spread person-to-person.
In response, Don Tan District has been declared a surveillance zone, with stringent measures implemented to contain the outbreak. Chakrit Chumchan, chief of Don Tan District, issued a disease control order outlining key actions: disease control centers have been established at Don Tan Hospital, the District Public Health Office, and Lao Mee Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital for testing and treatment. Village health volunteers are registering high-risk individuals for close monitoring, while public awareness campaigns educate residents about anthrax symptoms, such as skin lesions, fever, and abdominal pain.
The Department of Livestock Development (DLD) is leading efforts to prevent further transmission from animals, as anthrax is typically contracted by livestock through contaminated soil or feed, then passed to humans via handling or consumption of infected meat. The DLD has quarantined animals within a 5-kilometer radius of the infection site, administered penicillin antibiotics to livestock, and plans to vaccinate 1,222 cattle, despite no reported animal cases in the area. Samples from dried meat, hides, and slaughter sites are being tested at the Upper Northeastern Veterinary Research and Development Center in Khon Kaen. Slaughter sites in Lao Mee and Khok Sawang villages have been disinfected with caustic soda.
Dr. Nonchaya, a physician at Don Tan Hospital, was honored for his swift diagnosis of the initial case, which health officials credit with enabling rapid containment efforts. “Early detection has been critical in managing this outbreak,” the Mukdahan Public Health Office stated.
This outbreak follows a regional uptick in anthrax cases, with Laos reporting 129 infections and one death in 2024, and Vietnam confirming 13 cases in May 2023. Thailand’s last anthrax cases were in 2017, with two non-fatal infections, and in 2000, with 15 cases. The current fatality is the first since 1994, when three deaths were recorded. Authorities are maintaining heightened surveillance along border areas with Laos, given the proximity of Don Tan District to Savannakhet Province.
Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, is a rare but serious disease that can manifest as cutaneous, gastrointestinal, or inhalation forms, with cutaneous being the most common in this outbreak. Symptoms include skin lesions with black centers, fever, and, in severe cases, systemic complications. Prompt antibiotic treatment is effective, but delayed diagnosis can be fatal, as seen in the first case.
The Thai government’s response reflects a coordinated “One Health” approach, integrating human health, veterinary, and environmental strategies. However, experts caution that underreporting of livestock cases, as observed in regional studies like those in Vietnam, could complicate containment. The DLD’s proactive vaccination and quarantine measures aim to address this gap.
Residents are urged to avoid consuming raw or undercooked meat, report sudden animal deaths to livestock authorities, and seek immediate medical attention for symptoms. Contact points include Don Tan Hospital, the District Public Health Office, and the Don Tan Livestock Office.
For further information, residents can contact local health authorities or visit the Ministry of Public Health’s website.
