Anthrax spreads to Bangladesh

Despite the government's claim that Anthrax is under control, the disease is steadily making its way through the country.

On Wednesday, 16 new anthrax infected people were detected in Kushtia's Dharmadaha village under Doulatpur Upazila raising the number of infected patients to 193.

Upazila health and family planning officer Saleh Ahmed confirmed the detection. He identified the infected as Liakat Hossain, Mahbubul Islam, Sahara Ali, Sabina Khatun, Ambia Begum, Sahina Khatun, Rabeya Begum, Jahima Bewa, Tohura Begum, Fahima Khatun, Sakhina Khatun, Anzira Begum, Sahara Begum, Amina Begum, Mitan Pramanik, and Kawsar Hossain.

Anthrax commonly infects both wild and domesticated mammals which ingest or inhale the bacterium while grazing. Diseased animals can then spread anthrax to humans, either by direct contact or through consumption of the meat.

Livestock minister Abdul Latif Biswas had told bdnews24.com that the disease was under control. Several experts and civil sugeons of the affected areas have assured of 'no epidemic' situation, since 'it is curable'.

The minister was also firmed in saying that no anthrax-infected cattle would be allowed to enter the capital.

The disease was first detected on Aug 19 among 26 residents of the Chithhulia village under Shahjadpur Upazila in Sirajganj. Later it spread in Pabna.

In addition, at least 14 people were contracted Anthrax at Kurmurshi village under Ghatail Upazila in Tangail on Tuesday.

Experts team from the Dhaka's institute of Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IDCR) and International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) had visited Sirajganj and Pabna, collected specimens and confirmed anthrax.