Thailand is planning to consult Laos and Vietnam to lift the ban on cattle imports after an anthrax outbreak in the country amidst concerns over economic growth.
Following the spread of the disease in Thailand, a 53-year-old man in Mukdahan Province died on 30 April, marking the country’s first anthrax death in 30 years and prompting the declaration of a disease control zone.
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis or Bacillus cereus biovar anthracis. It primarily affects livestock and wild animals. Humans can contract the infection through direct or indirect contact with infected animals.
In response, the Lao government halted meat imports from Thailand—including beef, pork, horse, and lamb—to prevent the disease from spreading into the country, starting on 2 May, and began strictly disinfecting vehicles at border checkpoints.
Laos and Vietnam are the two main export destinations for Nakhon Phanom Province, contributing significantly to Thailand’s income—approximately THB 300 to 500 million (USD 9.06 to 15 million) from exporting 10,000 to 15,000 cattle monthly before the outbreak, according to reports from the Department of Livestock Development and the Nakhon Phanom Provincial Administration.
Laos heavily relies on meat imports from Thailand. In 2024, Laos imported approximately USD 6.51 million worth of meat and edible meat offal from Thailand, according to data from the United Nations Comtrade database, as reported by Trading Economics.
To address the situation, Thailand will hold talks that focus on easing trade restrictions and reassure that the recent anthrax outbreak is under control. Officials will also share the effective measures that have contained and eradicated the disease. Despite the plans, the official date of the meeting has yet to be announced.
The Department of Livestock Development also plans to upgrade farming practices in northeastern Thailand to improve meat quality and safety, aiming to restore confidence among neighboring countries and reinforce Thailand’s reputation as a reliable meat exporter.
Additionally, Cambodia, through its Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, has imposed a ban on all meat imports from Thailand as a precaution against anthrax.
Apart from Thailand, Laos also experienced an anthrax outbreak. Last year, the country reported 54 anthrax cases and multiple cattle deaths within a month in local villages of Champasack Province. As a result, high-risk areas were isolated, and Thailand increased surveillance efforts, particularly along border regions, to prevent the disease from spreading into its territory