Anthrax is spreading from cattle to humans in Gurudaspur upazila of Natore district. Twelve individuals have been initially identified as anthrax patients in Nazirpur union of the upazila. It was assumed that the disease spread to humans through the consumption of meat from infected cattle and the disposal of the infected animals by slaughtering and floating them in the river.
The affected individuals were found at Chak Adalat Kha and Mamudpur village in Nazirpur union of the upazila. In the past two months, at least 30 cattle and goats have reportedly been infected with anthrax in Nazirpur union. A research team from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control, and Research has begun studying the outbreak in these villages. The head of the research team, Professor Rahman, said that in Chak Adalat Kha village alone, 11 individuals have shown symptoms of anthrax-like infections. Samples were collected from the affected individuals' wounds on Tuesday and sent for testing.
Reports indicate that, in the past month, members of the same family in Molla Para of Chak Adalat Kha village, including Jewel Molla, his wife Mili Khatun, their daughter Zui, and Jewel's sister Joly Khatun, have been infected by anthrax. Others in the village who slaughtered infected cattle or participated in related activities, such as Irfan Molla, Monirul Islam, Raju Ahmed, Sakimuddin, Ataur Rahman, Majnu, Abdul Mannan, and Saddam Hossain from Mamudpur, also contracted the disease.
Jewel Molla, one of the affected, said that he had been raising six cows worth Tk 700,000. After four of his cows became sick within a month, he slaughtered them and sold the meat at a low price. As a result, he faced financial losses and also contracted anthrax.
According to Upazila Livestock Officer Almgeer Hossain, four cows have been slaughtered and buried in the past week due to suspicion of anthrax. Blood samples from three other cattle have been sent for testing. Additionally, an anthrax prevention vaccination drive for livestock will begin across the upazila from Wednesday.
Dr Ahiduzzaman Rubel, a physician at Gurudaspur Upazila Health Complex, said that a list of anthrax patients is being prepared for treatment. He explained that anthrax occurs in three forms, two of which are transmitted through inhalation and can be fatal if they affect the internal organs. However, in Gurudaspur, the disease was seen to be affecting the skins only.
