Anthrax is spreading again in Daulatpur, a border upazila of Kushtia. The district health department says 54 people were diagnosed with anthrax in the upazila in August and September, and infections in cattle are being reported from villages across its 14 unions.

According to the health department, anthrax has occurred in Kushtia since 2010. Cases eased for a while but have recently risen again in Daulatpur. Local people say many cattle and goats are dying suddenly after fever and other symptoms, and people are catching the disease from sick or dead animals.

Nusaiba, the 18-month-old daughter of Nazmul Islam of Hossainabad Mathpara, developed small blisters that turned into large dark sores. Yusuf Sardar of Gachherdiar developed blisters two days after slaughtering a relative's sick cow; tests confirmed anthrax and he is under treatment.

Daulatpur upazila health officer Touhidul Hasan Tuhin told Sarabangla people should stay alert rather than panic and see a doctor quickly if unusual blisters or sores appear. Kushtia civil surgeon Dr Sheikh Mohammad Kamal Hossain said people must avoid contact with sick or dead livestock and must never eat the meat of infected animals.

The district livestock department is vaccinating cattle. Livestock officials advise farmers to vaccinate animals regularly, not to slaughter sick or dead animals, and to report sick animals to the authorities quickly.

The report is by Sarabangla's Kushtia correspondent.

Photo: CDC / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)

Source: Sarabangla