Organic fertiliser from China poses risk of anthrax: Senior scientist

Calls for strict biosafety measures at local ports and airports

Senior Scientist Dr. Rasika Jinadasa from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science at the Peradeniya University recently spoke about the possible dangers of organic fertiliser imports from China.

He pointed out that while most bacteria in solid or animal manure are harmless organisms, soil organisms such as Bacillus anthracis can be deadly. This bacterium is responsible for anthrax that can cause sudden death in humans and animals.

“The disease can spread through the air and the bacteria is categorised as a biological weapon. Some bacillus bacteria, including the deadly Bacillus anthracis, can survive natural composting temperatures of up to - 70 degrees Celsius and can remain alive in soil or compost for a long time. Bacillus anthracis is known to survive in soil or compost for at least 50 years,” Dr. Jinadasa said.

He also said that anthrax is currently present in China.

“As an island nation, the easiest way to prevent the introduction of new diseases is to simply implement strict biosafety measures at our ports and airports, and no new pathogens will enter the country,” Dr. Jinadasa said.

“Therefore, if Sri Lanka decides to import soil or organic matter from China, we risk introducing this deadly disease to our country, and we also lose our chance of declaring“anthrax free” status in the near future,” he said.

Dr. Jinadasa said the country could have prevented, or at least controlled or delayed, the COVID- 19 outbreak in Sri Lanka, if biosafety measures were taken early last year. He said the presence of bacillus bacteria in a shipment heading to Sri Lanka must be viewed with extreme caution.

“The last case of suspected anthrax was reported in Sri Lanka some 40 years ago. We are yet to declare anthrax free status, as we need to wait for 50 years after the last case was detected, as the bacteria may still be living in our soil,” he added.