Numerous cattle perish due to alleged vaccine overdose in North Gonja district

A wave of cattle deaths has been recorded in Disah, a community in the North Gonja District, following an alleged overdose from vaccinations administered by an Ivorian brought into the area.

Speaking to Channel One News, North Gonja District Environmental Health Officer, Adam Mary, said her office was alerted by community members about the incident. A team was immediately dispatched to investigate.

She explained that inquiries on the ground revealed that a farmer had engaged the Ivorian to vaccinate his cattle, an exercise that reportedly led to the deaths.

“According to the sources and investigations that were carried out, some farmers went to Côte d’Ivoire and brought somebody to come and immunise their animals. After the immunisation, the farmers realised that their animals were dying.

“According to them, the immunisation was done on Friday, on Saturday, and on Sunday, the death took place,” she said.

Ms. Mary further noted that her office quickly issued a public alert to prevent the dead cattle from entering the food chain, extending the warning to nearby districts and towns.

“Public announcement was made immediately to educate people that this is what has happened, and we believe that some of the animals will leak into Daboya and be sold to the food vendors and so we told them that the vaccine that killed the animals can equally kill a human being and so when they get such animals they should not patronize with it, they should inform us.

“An announcement has been given to the Tamale slaughterhouse and those who matter in this case that they should take close supervision for us,” she added.

Authorities say monitoring is ongoing to prevent contaminated meat from being sold to unsuspecting consumers.