Anthrax outbreak spreads across 3 southern districts

Khulna correspondent :

Anthrax symptoms have appeared in three districts bordering the southern region. An average of 20 people are being diagnosed with anthrax every month in Meherpur district. Most of the cases have been detected in Gangni upazila of the district. The other two affected districts are Kushtia and Satkhira. The Khulna Health Department has taken a strict stance to control the disease, while the Department of Livestock is vaccinating half a million cows and goats. Sources at the Khulna Divisional Health Director’s Office said there had already been an outbreak of the disease in Gangni and Sadar upazilas of Meherpur. It spread again in the middle of this year.
The department has advised people to maintain hygiene, avoid slaughtering cattle and goats showing symptoms, refrain from marketing meat, and not touch dead animals.

Divisional Deputy Director (Health) Dr Md Mujibur Rahman said that strict precautions are being taken in this regard. If symptoms of the disease appear, the village-level health assistant immediately informs the civil surgeon.

The patients have been provided with necessary medical supplies from the hospital as usual.
Quoting the Civil Surgeon of Meherpur, he said that the affected individuals have recovered and returned home.

IEDCR Director Professor TahminaShirin told the media that surveillance has been increased. The spread of the germ is being closely monitored. Staff from the Health and Livestock Departments are collecting data at the grassroots level and advising on treatment for sick cattle.

MahmudulHaque, a health communication expert at Begum Rokeya University, stated in an article that unless long-term preventive measures are taken, the public health crisis will persist. No planned health communication programme has yet been implemented to prevent anthrax.
It is worth noting that the first anthrax infection among animals and humans in the country was recorded in 1986.