11 infected with anthrax in Gaibandha

GAIBANDHA, Oct 04: At least 11 people were infected with anthrax after slaughtering a sick cow in Sundarganj Upazila of Gaibandha.

Of them, five were admitted to Gaibandha District Hospital. The rest were receiving treatment locally.

Sundarganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Dibakar Basak confirmed it.

Earlier, a sick cow belonging to Mahabur Rahman was slaughtered in Kishamat Sadar village of Belka Union under the upazila last week.

Locals said when the cow suddenly fell ill, it was slaughtered and the meat of it was shared among the villagers. After a few days, symptoms like blisters, sores and rot appeared on the bodies of the 11 people who did the work. Wound marks became clear on the hands, faces, eyes and noses of the victims. Later, it was confirmed by a doctor that they were infected with anthrax.

Five of the infected people, including Moza Mia, Mozaffar Mia, Shafiqul Islam and Mahabur Rahman were undergoing treatment at the District Sadar Hospital. The others were receiving treatment locally.

Sundarganj Upazila Health Officer Dr. Dibakar Basak said there was nothing to panic about anthrax. It does not spread from person to person. The disease spreads through slaughtering sick cattle or consuming meat. He said, "With regular treatment, patients recover within a few days. He also advised everyone to refrain from slaughtering sick animals.

Belka Union council member Hafizar Rahman said that even after the cow was sick, some villagers slaughtered it. Those who were directly involved in the slaughtering were more affected. The incident created a panic in the area.

A warning was issued by the Gaibandha Civil Surgeon's Office to create awareness about prevention of this disease. This warning was posted on Friday night on facebook from the official ID of the Civil 'Surgeon's Office-Gaibandha'.

The message says - Anthrax is transmitted through the meat, blood, skin or hair of infected or dead cattle (cows, goats, sheep, etc.). In addition, there is a risk of anthrax if the animal meat is eaten raw or not cooked properly. There is a risk of anthrax infection if the germ enters through the wound while cutting the skin or animal's body.

The main symptoms of anthrax in humans are: black spots or sores on the skin (Cutaneous anthrax), fever, cough, difficulty breathing (Inhalation anthrax), severe stomach pain, vomiting and bloody diarrhea (Gastro-intestinal anthrax).

In this regard, Gaibandha District Animal Resources Officer Dr. Abdur Razzak told The Financial Express, some people had fallen ill after eating the meat of two sick cows in Sundarganj Upazila. "We initially suspect that."

"It may be due to the slaughtering of sick cows and eating meat. However, after testing, it will be understood whether they have this problem because of those sick cows. And awareness is being raised to ensure that no one eats meat of sick cows after slaughtering."

Gaibandha Civil Surgeon Dr. Md. Rafiquzzaman has said Anthrax is a preventable and treatable disease. Awareness and proper measures can keep one safe.

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