At least 13 people, mostly women and children, have got infected with Anthrax in Chor Koijuri village of Shahjadpur upazila in Sirajganj district, raising the number of infected in the district to 91 in the last three months.
District Civil Surgeon Sheikh Md Monjur Rahman on Friday said those who handled or prepared the meat of a sick ox from a farm owned by one Nazrul of the village got infected. The animal was slaughtered on August 8, 2016.
Anthrax infection breaks out in the district every year after the flood water recedes, said the civil surgeon.
The infected have been identified as Hashi, 3, Ramim, 4, Yasin, 6, Ankhi, 7, Nupur, 8, Swapna, 10, Alamin, 13, Turjo Khatun, 25, Hasna Khatun, 35, Polash, 25, Shamim, 35, Moriam Begum, 64 and Jamila Bewa, 63.
Health and Family Planning Officer of Shahjadpur Upazila Health Complex Jafarul Hossain said, eight of the victims had been admitted to Sirajganj Sadar Hospital on Thursday while the rest five were brought to the hospital on Friday.
In May this year, 18 people have been infected with anthrax in Koijuri, Porjona and Kayempur unions. During the time, many others also have been reported to be infected in Kamarkhond and Ullahpara upazilas.
After the flood water receded this year, many cattle have been noticed to have various diseases.
Livestock officer of Shahjadpur upazila Abdus Samad said despite vaccination cattle of the upazila may get infected with anthrax or other diseases due to consuming flood washed hyacinth and grass. However, legal actions will be taken against those who sold meat of a sick animal, he added.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
