Bangladesh anthrax spreads, public panics

DHAKA: Bangladesh has set up anthrax checkpoints at cattle markets as a major outbreak of the disease spreads through the country's dairy belt, infecting more than 400 people, officials said Wednesday.

Eight districts have confirmed human and cattle anthrax infections and meat consumption ahead of the Islamic festival of Eid, set to start Friday, has fallen sharply as panicked consumers turn their back on beef, officials said.

“We're still getting reports of new anthrax infections -- the number of cases could soar,” said Mahmudur Rahman, a director of health ministry. “In one district 66 people were infected in one day,” he said.

The government this week put livestock and health officials on “red alert”, suspended all leave in the livestock department and sent emergency veterinarian teams to affected districts.

Officials have described the outbreak as the biggest in the country's history, although there have been no deaths so far.

Anthrax is a potentially lethal bacterium that exists naturally in the soil and commonly infects livestock which ingest or inhale its spores while grazing.

It can be transmitted to humans who handle or eat infected animals.

Scores of cows have died in the current outbreak, which started August 18, causing panic among farmers and consumers.

The authorities have set up checkpoints across the country in an effort to prevent diseased meat reaching the capital Dhaka, said livestock department deputy director Mosaddek Hossain.

“We have sent vets to markets to screen animals. We want to calm the public down. Already meat consumption has declined sharply as panicky consumers are avoiding beef,” he said.