PHNOM PENH, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has imposed a temporary ban on the import of livestock and related animal products from neighboring Thailand to prevent the outbreak of anthrax, said a statement released on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said in the statement that the ministry was closely monitoring the anthrax outbreak in some parts of Thailand.
"Currently, there are no cases of the disease reported in Cambodia, but as a precautionary measure, the ministry has imposed a temporary ban on the import of livestock and related animal products from all Thai border crossings," the statement said.
It added that authorities have worked closely with relevant institutions at those border crossings to enforce the ban.
The statement said the General Department of Animal Health and Production has also set up a quick reaction network in all 25 cities and provinces with the aim of monitoring animal health and intervening in case of suspicion.
The Ministry of Health also issued a statement late on Tuesday, calling on people to be vigilant and authorities to step up health measures at border crossings to prevent the import of the disease into the kingdom.
"To date, the disease has not been detected in Cambodia," the statement said.
Anthrax is a rare but serious illness caused by a spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, the statement said, adding that the disease mainly affects livestock and wild animals.
Humans can become infected through contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products, it said, adding that anthrax is not transmitted from person to person, but anthrax skin lesions may be contagious. ■
