by William Gomes

This is the country’s first large-scale anthrax outbreak. All infected cattle are to be culled as 500,000 units of vaccine are distributed in five affected districts. Cities are also at risk because of poor controls on infected beef.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – The authorities have sounded the alarm bell across Bangladesh after 327 people were reportedly infected by anthrax in five districts since 18 August. Yesterday, the government warned health authorities about the problem and ordered the culling of all infected animals. It also began distributing anti-anthrax vaccine. Officially, it is worst outbreak of anthrax in the history of the country.

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by soil-borne bacteria spores that pass from animals to people. During the rainy season, rain brings spores to the surface where they accumulate in stagnant water. Infection occurs when spores are inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with skin lesions on a host. Once in the body, the infection strikes the respiratory system, and if left untreated it can be lethal.

“We have issued a red alert and asked livestock officials, civil surgeons and health workers to fan out to detect sick cows and cull them immediately," the Minister for Fisheries and Livestock, Abdul Latif Biswas, said.

The minister also ordered the distribution of half a million ampoules of cattle vaccine to be administered on animals in high-risk areas.

Despite government reassurances, Mahmudur Rahman, director of Bangladesh's Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, said that local government officials are struggling to find an effective solution to fight the outbreak. Unfortunately, the country lacks the necessary technical staff for this emergency.

Another problem is controlling infected meat sold in the cities by unscrupulous merchants.

An official with the Dhaka City Corporation said, on condition of anonymity, that meat sold in stores is not being checked and that the disease could spread to other cities.

In the meantime, Dhaka and national authorities have launched an information campaign to warn people against the risks of eating anthrax-infected meat.

• bangladesh
• anthrax
• outbreak
• cattle
• meat
• infection
• tainted