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At least 11 people in Gaibandha’s Sundarganj Upazila have developed symptoms of anthrax after butchering the meat of a diseased cow.
The affected are all residents of Kishamat Sadar village in Belka Union, according to Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dibakar Basak.
Belka Union council member Hafizar Rahman said the group took part in cutting up the cow’s meat on Sept 29. Soon after, they developed blisters and tissue decay on various parts of their bodies, particularly on their hands, noses, mouths and eyes, reports bdnews24.com.
“Among them, Moza Mia, Mozzaffar Mia, Shafiqul Islam and Mahbur Rahman are seriously ill. They are receiving treatment at home,” he said.
One of the patients, Mahbur Rahman, said: “About 10 to 12 days ago, one of my cows fell ill with an unknown disease. We tried local treatment, but the cow got worse. That is why it was slaughtered on Monday. Later, all of us who handled the meat developed blisters and tissue decay on our bodies.”
On Friday afternoon, the group sought treatment at Gaibandha’s Rabeya Clinic and Hospital.
Prof Manjurul Karim Prince, a skin and venereal disease specialist at Rangpur Medical College Hospital who also treats patients at the clinic, said: “Several patients came with anthrax symptoms. They have been treated, and with regular care they should recover quickly.”
Dr Md Mozammel Haque, veterinary surgeon at the Sundarganj Upazila Livestock and Veterinary Hospital, said anthrax had recently spread among cattle and goats in neighbouring Pirgachha Upazila of Rangpur.
“In July and August, two people in Pirgachha also died with anthrax symptoms,” he said. “Now this contagious disease has spread to parts of Sundarganj Upazila as well.”
He added that after receiving reports, livestock officials vaccinated all cattle in Kishamat Sadar village on Wednesday. Vaccinations have also been carried out in Sarananda, Bamondanga, Tarapur, and Sundarganj municipality, with the campaign ongoing in other areas.
Upazila Health Officer Dibakar said those who came to hospital with anthrax symptoms had been treated, and the matter reported to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) for confirmation.
He stressed that anthrax can spread to humans if they handle or slaughter an infected animal, but the disease does not spread from person to person.