Four outbreaks of anthrax, or “blast”, have been confirmed in livestock in the Gjirokastra region during July. Veterinary authorities say they have taken measures to isolate the outbreaks, vaccinate animals and disinfect the affected areas.
But the official response of the National Veterinary and Plant Protection Authority AKVMB to BoldNews.al leaves some questions about the extent of the controls and, above all, about the safety of the food chain.
According to the AKVMB, the first case was identified on June 30, after the sudden death of an animal. Clinical signs raised suspicion of anthrax, while laboratory confirmation came on July 3.
Then three more cases were confirmed, on July 21, 23, and 24. So, within a few weeks, the number of laboratory-confirmed cases went to four.
In its response, AKVMB states that in all cases the measures set out in veterinary legislation have been implemented, including the ban on the movement of susceptible animals and vaccination.
” Vaccination of all animals (cattle, sheep, goats, horses and pigs) on the affected farm ,” declares the AKVMB, adding that vaccination has also been carried out in the village where the outbreak was identified and in herds considered at risk.
But how many animals and farms have been vaccinated? How many are considered at risk? And have special controls been carried out on products of animal origin that may have come from affected areas?
This data is not disclosed in the official response, leaving several questions unanswered.
Regarding human health, AKVMB says that so far there is no information about cases of people affected by anthrax in this area.
“We have no information about cases in people affected by this disease in this area,” the response states.
However, the authority does not clarify whether special checks have been carried out on people who have had contact with affected animals, or whether the food chain from the areas where outbreaks have been identified has been specifically monitored.
This does not mean that the food on the market is dangerous. But when an authority confirms four outbreaks of an infectious disease in livestock, the consumer has the right to know how extensive the controls have been and what has been done to guarantee the safety of the products that end up on Albanian tables.
AKVMB adds at the end of the answer that measures have been taken to minimize the risk to public health, but naturally the question arises as to how safe are we for the food we consume on our tables? / BoldNews.al