Anthrax infects 586 in Bangladesh

The total number of confirmed human anthrax infections in Bangladesh has reached 586 with three new cases detected in the last 48 hours.

The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, told TheFinancialExpress-BD.com that one of the new caseswas detected by government health officers in Chuadanga. The remaining two cases were found at Bheramara upazila of Kushtia and Gangni upazila of Meherpur.
Cases of anthrax infection have been found in 12 districts since the disease first broke out in Sirajganj, IEDCR officials told TheFinancialExpress-BD.com.

Following the quick spread of anthrax to other districts, government officials announced a red alert across the country earlier this month. Government officials have also formed committees in the country's 64 districts to coordinate all efforts of anthrax prevention and treatment.Officials told TheFinancialExpress-BD.com that they have also decided to form a national coordination committee to contain the anthrax outbreak in the country.



                                                                                                                                     
Meanwhile, Livestock Department officials released a statement earlier this week telling residents not to panic over the anthrax outbreak and claimed that the situation is under control.

The statement, undersigned by its director general Md Ashraf Ali, confirmed that there is no risk of getting infected if someone consumes anthrax-free beef or milk.

Anthrax is a highly contagious disease that is typically transmitted to people through contact with meat, blood or skin of infected herbivorous animals.