Health officials on Wednesday, January 4, ordered livestock keepers in Kisii county to quarantine their animals following an outbreak of anthrax.
At the same time, the county's Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services department warned traders against selling any uninspected meat.
While confirming the outbreak, health officials, in particular, asked farmers within Subugo sub-location to limit the movement of their sheep and goats.
"Anthrax is a highly infectious disease that occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals," Kisii health officials sounded an alarm.
Speaking to Kenyan.co.ke, Veterinarian Dr Victor Yamo clarified that one does not have to consume an anthrax infected meat to get sick.
Dr Yamo advised that human beings can be infected if they come into contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products, and the effects can lead to death.
" Anyone can get anthrax even by just touching an infected animal or handling any related items," Dr Yamo noted.
In order to contain the spread of anthrax, Bobasi sub-county Veterinary Officer Dr. Richard Ongwae warned that the quarantine restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
"Being a veterinary officer appointed by the county government of Kisii, I do hereby require the following animals namely; cattle sheep and goats and their products to be detained within Subugo village, Subugo sublocation and its environs," noted Dr Ongwae.
Dr Ongwae also directed that no other animals should also be moved into the restricted area so as to avoid further spread of the disease.
However, Ongwae confirmed that animals could be moved in special cases, at least, with the permission from him or the inspector in charge.
He encouraged farmers to carry out a disinfection exercise on their animals before moving them from one location to another.
The Kisii county health official further directed that carcasses of all animals dying from the disease "be either buried at the depth of not less than four feet below the surface or burnt at the expense of the owner."
On his part, Dr Yamo asked members of the public to buy meat from licensed butcheries in order to avoid such diseases.
Previously, health officials had reportedly launched a crackdown on unlicensed butcheries in order to contain anthrax outbreaks.
