Zoonotic Diseases

Diseases discussed here have a history of use as an agent for biological warfare, either in the U.S. or abroad. Its use may have been experimental or actual, and any detrimental consequences upon humans, animals or the environment may have been intentional or not, depending on the circumstances, the point in time, and the nature of the disease.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - BANGLADESH (11): WIDESPREAD

***********************************************

A ProMED-mail post



ProMED-mail is a program of the

International Society for Infectious Diseases





[1]

Date: 5 Sep 2010

Source: Google/AFP [edited]







Bangladesh has put livestock and health officials on high alert after

an outbreak of anthrax spread to more districts, infecting 327 people

since mid-August 2010, officials said Sunday [5 Sep 2010].



The livestock minister suspended all leaves and sent teams to the

affected districts, department deputy director Mosaddek Hossain said.

The move comes after health officials confirmed that anthrax has

infected people in 2 more districts in the country's north and east,

taking the tally to 5 districts. Outbreaks in 2 more districts await

confirmation. "This is the biggest outbreak of anthrax in the

country's history. We are very concerned. The government has set up

surveillance teams in all the affected areas so that the disease

cannot spread to other places," Hossain said.



Scores of cows have died in the outbreak, causing panic among

farmers. The situation has been aggravated by eating and handling of

diseased cows by farmers, he said.



Mahmudur Rahman, a director of health ministry, said 327 people have

been infected with the disease since 18 Aug 2010. All the cases are

cutaneous, or skin, anthrax which causes wound-like lesions. "We are

battling hard to contain the disease. Still, we are receiving reports

of new infections in almost every day," he said.



--

Communicated by

Greg Folkers



******

[2]

Date: 5 Sep 2010

Source: bdnews24.com [edited]







Alarmed over anthrax spreading into new districts, the government has

declared a red alert across Bangladesh.



Fisheries and livestock minister Abdul Latif Biswas told bdnews24.com

about the government decision on Sunday [5 Sep 2010] afternoon. He

said the livestock directorate, civil surgeons and relevant offices

have been asked to remain on high alert. The government has sent 500

000 vials of vaccine for infected cattle. He said that committees

have been formed at the districts headed by the livestock officer and

civil surgeon to coordinate all efforts of anthrax prevention and cure.



The disease was 1st identified in Sirajganj on 19 Aug 2010, when at

least 26 people including 2 children showed signs of infection at

Chithhulia village under Kayempur of Shahjadpur Upazila. A team of

the civil surgeon's office led by Dr Shariful Islam and district

sanitary inspector Ramchandra Saha visited the village and confirmed

the infection. Ramchandra said on 29 Jul 2010 a buffalo of Abdus

Salam and a cow of Shah Alam -- both of which had contracted anthrax

-- were slaughtered and their meat sold off to villagers.



The disease had reportedly spread to Pabna, Tangail and Kushtia, and

more areas across the country. Since then, over 200 people have

contracted anthrax [The current total is 327. - Mod.MHJ].



Biswas and state minister for health Mujibur Rahman Fakir had told

bdnews24.com on 25 Aug 2010 that anthrax was under control.



The government on 29 Aug 2010 declared that check posts were set up

at all entrances and exits of Dhaka to block the infected cattle.



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail



******

[3]

Date: 5 Sep 2010

Source: The Financial Express [edited]







The anthrax outbreak is spreading alarmingly across the country, as

the government offices have confirmed that 254 people have so far

been infected with the anthrax bacterium. Of the 254 infected, 21

patients are from Daulatpur upazila of Kushtia; 14 from Ghatail

upazila of Tangail; one from Bera, 27 from Sathia, and 17 from the

Faridpur upazilas of Pabna; and 53 from Shahzadpur, 52 from Belkuchi,

and 69 from Kamarkhand upazilas of Sirajganj.



Bangladesh Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research

(IEDCR), under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, responsible for

monitoring the disease, revealed the latest data. According to the

officials, the number is increasing rapidly since its 1st reported

case on 19 Aug 2010 at Shahjadpur and adjoining upazilas of Sirajganj.



The latest cutaneous anthrax outbreak is clearly posing to be the

most lethal one among the 7 outbreaks during the last 12 months. A

total of 99 people along with several animals were affected during

the earlier outbreaks.



The government agencies are claiming that there is nothing to be

afraid of, as treatment facilities are available and immediate

treatment can cure patients easily. However, the epidemic is rapidly

spreading due to inadequate supply of vaccination and lack of

awareness among the public.



Sirajganj district livestock office recently reported that the

outbreak started after the local villagers had eaten tainted beef and

processed or had come into contact with meat, bone, hair and hides of

anthrax-infected cows since 29 Jul 2010. According to the office, 21

cows in the area have already died of anthrax, while 7 were

slaughtered, whose meat was later sold to the local people.



"This is the 8th anthrax outbreak of the year [2010], and there is

absolutely nothing to be worried about, as the chances of mortality

are extremely low after contracting the disease," said IEDCR chief

Mahmudur Rahman.



There is a general fear that the outbreak may spread across the

country within the next 2 months prior to Eid-ul-Azha, the Muslim

festival, when a large number of sacrificial animals are bought and sold.



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail



******

[4]

Date: 5 Sep 2010

Source: Star Online Report [edited]







At least 15 more people are feared to be infected with anthrax in

Meherpur and Chuadanga districts, health officials said on Saturday

[4 Sep 2010]. Of them, 14 were identified in Gangni upazila of

Meherpur while another was in Alamdanga upazila of Chuadanga, our

Kushtia correspondent reports.



The disease was identified in Kushtia on 1 Sep 2010 after [being

found in] the districts of Sirajganj, Pabna and Tangail in the last

month [August 2010]. The disease was identified in Sirajganj on 20

Aug 2010, and it spread out into its neighbouring district Pabna on

22 Aug 2010, while in Tangail on 31 Aug 2010.



Gangni upazila health officer Dr Zohurul Islam said 14 people were

suspected to have contracted anthrax at Debipur, Karamdi and Jhorpota

villages. Some of them are undergoing treatment at the upazila health

complex, Zohurul added. According to villagers, a sick cow of Debipur

village was slaughtered a few days ago. Some people of the village

consumed the meat causing the disease, they added. Meherpur civil

surgeon Dr Abdus Sahid said they are still waiting for experts'

opinion on the blood and skin samples sent to Dhaka.



Alamdanga upazila health officer Dr Liakat Ali said it is suspected

that anthrax broke out in Charjadabpur village, as a sick goat of the

village was slaughtered nearly a week before. Later, family members

consumed the meat and the owner has been suffering pain for 2 days

and fell sick on Saturday [4 Sep 2010], he added. He was admitted to

Alamdanga Upazila Health Complex.



--

Communicated by:

ProMED-mail



[The varying numbers of human cases indicates a level of

uncoordinated news briefings, but it is a rapidly moving situation

over extended areas. The 4th report [4] above with the very brief

account of the owner's clinical travails is more typical of

gastro-enteric anthrax than cutaneous anthrax. In spite of

ministerial statements to the contrary, it would seem that this

disease is still uncontrolled in both humans and livestock. Once the

latter's vaccination is effective, then the human incidence should

fall off, maybe sooner if people can be persuaded to not slaughter

and butcher sick stock. This national emergency will provide the

necessary political support for an effective national control and

surveillance programme.



For a map of Bangladesh, go to:

.



This situation indicates that the veterinary authorities in West

Bengal should be on high alert:

.

- Mod.MHJ]



[see also:

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh (10): (KU, TA) 20100902.3140

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh (09): (SR, PB) 20100831.3109

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh (08): (SR, PB) 20100828.3066

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh (07): (SR) 20100827.3044

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh (06): (SR) 20100826.3009

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh (05): (SR) conf. 20100825.2996

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh (04): (SR) susp. 20100824.2970

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh (03): (PB) susp. 20100823.2944

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh (02): (SR) 20100820.2914

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh: (TA) susp, RFI 20100421.1291

2009

----

Anthrax, foot-&-mouth disease, wildlife - Bangladesh: (Dhaka zoo) 20090918.3279

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh (02): (RJ) 20090904.3119

Anthrax, human, bovine - Bangladesh: (RJ) 20090831.3068

2004

----

Anthrax, elephants - Bangladesh (Chittagong Hill Tracts) 20040618.1629]

..........................................sb/mhj/msp/dk



*##########################################################*

************************************************************

ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that

are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the

information, and of any statements or opinions based

thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in

using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID

and its associated service providers shall not be held

responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any

damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted

or archived material.

************************************************************

Donate to ProMED-mail. Details available at:



************************************************************

Visit ProMED-mail's web site at .

Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to

an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name

name and affiliation, it may not be posted. You may unsub-

scribe at .

For assistance from a human being, send mail to:

.

############################################################

############################################################

No comments:

Post a Comment