Wüstenschiff

ANTHRAX, HUMAN - KAZAKHSTAN (02): (WEST KAZAKHSTAN)
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Date: 31 Jul 2009
Source: IA Visota 102.0 [Trans. by Corr.ATS, edited]
<http://v102.ru/astrahan/13131.html>


An outbreak of anthrax has been observed close to Astrakhan. A total
of 185 people are under medical observation

The administration of Astrakhan Rosselkhoznadzor has informed the
correspondent of "Visota 102" that an anthrax outbreak has been
registered in neighboring West-Kazakhstan oblast. Cases of infection
have been found in the settlements of Volodarka in Zelenovski rayon
and of Akbulak in Burlinski rayon. The Ministry of Health of
Kazakhstan reports that 4 people contracted the infection and 185
more are under medical observation.

Causes of this outbreak are declared bad condition of some farms, and
the non-compliance of producers with sanitary, veterinary and
anti-epizootic regulations. The Astrakhan Rosselkhoznadzor keeps its
eyes open on the health status of residents and animal population in
bordering regions.

--
Communicated by:
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[For 4 human cases and 185 under observation it sounds like one dead
cow and a market shared by 2 villages, or at least 2 dead animals and
maybe separate villages. Either way a failure of veterinary oversight
in spite of the self serving claims blaming the local farmers. As I
have said before, when there are human cases of anthrax it is the
fault of the veterinarians, no one else. It appears to be the season
for sporadic outbreaks in western Kazakhstan.

For a map of West Kazakhstan, go to:
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwe ... _pol01.jpg>
Atyrau oblast:
<http://www.fallingrain.com/world/KZ/6/>
Zelenovski:
<http://www.fallingrain.com/world/KZ/6/Zelenoe.html>
- Mod.MHJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - KYRGYZSTAN (02): (JALAL-ABAD) MORE CASES
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Date: 31 Jul 2009
Source: Trend News, Azirbaijan [edited]
<http://news-en.trend.az/cis/kyrgyzstan/1514897.html>


More taken to hospital with anthrax symptoms in Jalalabad
-----------------------------------------------------------
Kyrgyz Emergency Ministry reports that 5 more patients have been
taken to hospital with anthrax symptoms in Jalalabad. All are
residents of Semet village, Aksy region, where farmers ate cow meat
and 10 days later turned to hospital with ulcers typical for anthrax.
The patients are taken care of now, while 167 persons who might have
tried that meat are taken under medical control, reported "24.kg."
[<http://eng.24.kg/incidents/2009/07/31/8703.html> out of Bishkek]

The Kyrgyzstan's south has experienced an anthrax outbreak in 2008.
That time the epidemic killed one and brought dozens to hospital.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[The previous report had 7 medical staff from the Regional Sanitary
and Epidemiological Control Station out administering tetracycline
and the veterinary officers vaccinating the local livestock
apparently as a result of the vodka swilling single cutaneous case,
and 12 in-contact people under medical observation. The normal
anthrax incubation period is 4-8 days but it can be drawn out with
low dose exposures. I suspect we may expect to see a few more human
cases. - Mod.MHJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - KYRGYZSTAN (03): (JALAL-ABAD)
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Date: 6 Aug 2008
Source: RIA Novosti [edited]
http://en.rian.ru/exsoviet/20090806/155743318.html



South Kyrgyz town quarantined over anthrax outbreak
---------------------------------------------------
The town of Aksy [actually Semet village in Asky region] in southern
Kyrgyzstan, along with the surrounding district, has been quarantined
following an anthrax outbreak that has infected at least 5 people,
the country's health ministry said.

The disease spread after meat from an infected cow that had been
slaughtered without a veterinary inspection was sold to locals, the
ministry's press service told RIA Novosti. "According to data from
the national center for dangerous infections, anthrax infection has
been confirmed for 5 residents of the Aksy district following tests,"
the press service said. All of them are currently in a satisfactory
condition. Another 12 patients, who had come into contact with the
infected people, are being examined and are receiving prophylactic treatment.

--
Communication submitted by
Promed-Mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[This confirms the prior tentative diagnosis for these 5 people. As a
week has passed since that report I think we can assume that this
human outbreak is over except for mainly watch just in case. I am not
sure what it means to quarantine a human Kyrgyz population but I
suspect that the veterinary inspection of the local markets has been
ramped up as well as the medcal clinics being on the lookout for any
further cases. Unless something significant occurs this thread is
cut. Unfortunately this oblast is notorious for anthrax so we can
confidentially expect further cases in other rayons. - Mod.MHJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - KYRGYZSTAN (04): (JALAL-ABAD)
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Date: 10 Aug 2009
Source: Akipress.org [edited]
<http://fergana.akipress.org/news:42501/>


The skin form of anthrax has been confirmed in only 6 people out of the 17
hospitalized. All 6 are from Aksi district of Jalalabad. These 6 are
currently under treatment in district hospitals. The remaining 11 people
from the villages of Toktogul, Semet, and Toruk are also under medical
observation.

The Ministry of Health press service also stated that a 20 year old man
from Suzak village of Tula Bulak district who was hospitalized with a
preliminary diagnosis of anthrax is also under treatment in the infectious
disease hospital of Jalalabad.

The Ministry of Health press service said that information campaigns are
being conducted to prevent the further spread of anthrax.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - UZBEKISTAN: (TASHKENT)
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[1]
Date: Wed 12 Aug 2009
Source: The Times of Central Asia [edited]
<http://www.timesca.com/index.php?option ... &Itemid=13>


From 13 to 15 people have died of anthrax in the town of Toytepa in
Tashkent Region, local residents have said. People contracted anthrax after
eating the meat of an infected cow.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail rapporteur Susan Baekeland

******
[2]
Date: Aug 12, 2009
From: ProMED-mail Med NP (Transl. ATS)
Source: CA-news, August 11, 2009 [Mod.NP]
<http://www.ca-news.org/news/197681?from=ya>


A man died from anthrax in Toytepi
----------------------------------
A 52 year old man died from anthrax in a small city, Toytepi, 25 km from
Tashkent on 3 Aug 2009. This man and several of his neighbors became
infected from the meat of a sick animal, the local residents say. The sick
animal belonged to the neighbor of the deceased, who knew about the disease
but slaughtered the animal and sold the meat across the street. People say
that more then 20 fell sick and more than 10 of them died. Some of the
infected are children, who swam in the water, which was contaminated by the
viscera of the sick cow. The hospital where this case was admitted
confirmed his death, but the deputy of the state sanitary-epidemiological
surveillance department said that the cause of his death was not anthrax.
The official report says that this was the first case and first fatality
from anthrax this year. There were 2 fatal cases during the last year and
no cases in 2007. The worst year was 1991, when about 60 people died from
anthrax.

--
communicated by: ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[The URL for [1] above gives a login site, then you proceed to the left
hand side and click on Society, Education, Health.

Unfortunately this part of Uzbekistan, like much of western Uzbekistan,
suffers from enzootic anthrax in the local livestock, which overflows into
the human population. - Mod.MHJ

The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Uzbekistan is available at
<http://healthmap.org/r/00Gj>. Tashkent region (province) is in the north
eastern part of the country. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN - IRAN
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Date: Thu 13 Aug 2009
Source: Tehran Times [edited]
<http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=200909>


150 Iranians suffer from anthrax
--------------------------------
There are only 150 people in the Islamic Republic infected with
anthrax, an official of the Health ministry announced here on Tuesday
[11 Aug 2009]. "We have managed to control the spread of the disease
throughout the country during recent years," Mohammad-Reza Shirzadi
said, adding "there is no concern in this regard." Fortunately, there
are vaccines effective against anthrax, and some forms of the disease
respond well to antibiotic treatment, Shirzadi stated.

The disease affects both humans and animals and most forms of it are
lethal (if untreated), Shirzadi explained. Anthrax, is a bacterial
disease (_Bacillus anthracis_), which may not spread directly from an
infected body to another. Clothes, bodies, and even soil, Shirzadi
commented, may be contaminated with anthrax spores. When these spores
are inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with a skin lesion on a
host they may reactivate and multiply rapidly. The usual danger of
contagion for humans is occupational exposure to infected animals or
their products, such as meat, Shirzadi warned.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[Firstly, anthrax is infectious but not contagious. Secondly, 150
human cases in (presumably) 2008 is not a small number. In 2002 Iran
reported 269 human cases to OIE; 250 in 2003; 155 (and 1 death) in
2005; and 165 cases (and 1 death) in 2007. Thus it is a constant
human threat in the country. While they reported only 8 bovine
outbreaks in 2007 there were 33 in 2008 involving West Azarbayejan (6
outbreaks), East Azarbayejan (1), Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiyari (3),
Esfahan (2), Fars (1 mixed), Gilan (5), Hamadan (1), Razavi Khorasan
(3 - one mixed), Markazi (3), Semnan (1), Tehran (2), Yazd (2),
Qalvin (3); 25 outbreaks involving sheep and goats in 2008 in East
Azarbayejan (1), Karmanshan (1), Fars (9 - one mixed), Razavi
Khorasan (8 - one mixed), Kordestan (1), North Khorasan (1), South
Khorasan (2), Abdebil (2); and one equine outbreak in Zanjan. If one
were to map these out it is clear that the disease occurs across the
country from west to east, north to south.

At one time Iran looked as though it had this disease under control
and was on its way to eradicating it ... when one has an effective
control and surveillance system the anthrax disappears as soil
recontamination is stopped. This is a great pity as Iran has a modern
GIS-based animal surveillance system and should be right on top of
this disease for ensuring that herds with cases and their neighbours
are vaccinated. Obviously this is not the case. - Mod.MHJ]

[The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Iran is available at
<http://healthmap.org/r/00Hj>. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - TAJIKISTAN: (KHATLON)
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Date: Mon 17 Aug 2009
Source: Central Asia News [in Russian, trans. Corr.ATS, edited]
<http://www.ca-news.org/news/200651>


11 people in southern Tajikistan have been hospitalized with suspected anthrax
----------------------------------------------------------------------
According to the Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture of
Tajikistan, an outbreak was registered in the village Maydapata in
Farkhor district of Khatlon oblast (200 km [124 mi] south of
Dushanbe). Of the hospitalized [presumably human - Mod.MHJ] cases 4
have been confirmed as [cutaneous] anthrax.

Up to 150 000 people live in the Farkhor district, according to
unofficial data.

"Currently a team of veterinarians is working in the area," the
Veterinary Service announced. Anthrax was diagnosed in 30 cows, out
of the 300 under observation.

--
Communicated by:
HealthMap Alerts via ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Tajikistan is a scattered country with a challenged infrastructure
and not unlike more advanced countries what they report is frequently
limited by what the diagnostic laboratories receive. Thus a blood
swab from a dead sheep gets reported as "one ovine outbreak with one
case" as no other information was supplied with the sample. The
reality? Who knows? Anyone visiting the OIE WAHID website will see
this repeated for country after country. So while the Tajik numbers
of bovine and small ruminant outbreaks indicate sporadicity, for
example there were only 10 livestock outbreaks reported to OIE for
2008, the human case numbers indicate a more severe problem though
recently the numbers have halved indicating a possible improvement;
that is, 2000 (338 human cases); 2001 (157); 2002 (163); 2003 (126);
2004 (113); 2005 (50); 2006 (33); 2007 (45); 2008 (45).

For maps of Tajikistan, see
<http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/ma ... jikist.pdf>,
<http://www.fallingrain.com/world/TI/>, and
<http://healthmap.org/r/00HE>.
For the location of Farkhor see
<http://www.fallingrain.com/world/TI/2/Farkhor.html>. - Mod MHJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - KYRGYZSTAN (05): (OSH)
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Date: 25 Aug 2009
Source: Bishkek - News Agency 24.kg [edited]
<http://eng.24.kg/incidents/2009/08/25/8801.html>


Another [human] anthrax case has been reported in the south of
Kyrgyzstan. A resident of Kyzyl-Kiya town has been hospitalized on
suspicion of the dangerous disease, the Emergency Ministry says.

Specialists have immediately left for the scene to take preventive and
anti-epidemic measures, after samples were sent for laboratory analysis.

As the news agency 24.kg earlier reported, doctors hospitalized 18
locals of the Aksy district, Jalalabad region on suspicion of anthrax
in June 2009, and some of them were diagnosed positively. After that,
over a hundred houses were subjected to anti-epidemic measures. In
2008, 10 residents of southern Kyrgyzstan were down with anthrax,
while one of them died in hospital.

In the meantime, according to officials of the Health Care Ministry,
the situation is under control.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[We can confidentially expect to see more human cases occur as the
anthrax season progresses in this part of southwest Kyrgyzstan,
abutting the Fergana valley of Uzbekistan. The uncontrolled nature of
this disease in the valley affects the adjoining areas of Kyrgyzstan,
thus the high incidence of this disease in Jalal-Abad and Osh.

To find Kyzyl-Kiya, go to:
<http://www.fallingrain.com/world/KG/5/KyzylKyya.html>. - Mod.MHJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN - INDIA: (TAMIL NADU), SUSPECTED
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[1]
Date: 24 Aug 2009
Source: Press Trust of India [edited]
<http://www.ptinews.com/news/245861_Dair ... th-anthrax>


A 45 year old dairy labourer was today [24 Aug 2009] hospitalised here with
suspected human anthrax, an infection contracted from cattle. The labourer,
belonging to nearby Meermulikottai village, was admitted to the Government
Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital here with boils on his hand
and was found to be suffering from the rare human anthrax, hospital dean, C
Shanmugham, said. Shanmugham said the man, employed by a dairy owner to
milk the cattle, had developed the boils after he came in contact with an
affected cow. "Since the infection has been detected at an early stage, it
can be cured," Shanmugam said, adding the man was being treated in an
isolated ward.

District Animal Husbandry Department officials who visited the village,
however, claimed he was suspected to be suffering from cow pox. They have
collected samples from cattle in the area for further testing.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail rapporteur Susan Baekeland

[We seem to have a difference of opinion as to the nature of this man's
"boils". Clarification is sought from our Indian members. It should be
noted that anthrax is widespread in Tamil Nadu. It is not "rare." In 2005,
OIE reported 10 outbreaks affecting cattle and small ruminants; 2006 8
outbreaks; 2007 12 outbreaks; and in 2008, 11 outbreaks. So the potential
is there for it to be a case of cutaneous anthrax.

For a map of Tamil Nadu showing Salem, go to:
<http://www.maplandia.com/india/tamil-nadu/salem/>. - Mod.MHJ]

******
[2]
Date: 25 Aug 2009
From: Kumar Angamuthu <akm_70@yahoo.com>


Yes, I did come to know about this single patient who is a farmer near my
town. He owns 2 buffaloes, and one developed lesions on its udder. For
this, he took the animal to the local veterinarian who provided an unknown
medication for local application over the udder. This was applied by the
animal's owner, and after that, he was milking the cow with his bare hands.
Within 24 hours, he developed vesicular lesions on his fingers.
Fortunately, he came to the regional medical college hospital, where a
diagnosis of cutaneous anthrax was made. I am not aware of the details of
microbiological culture results yet. He is being treated in the hospital as
an inpatient following standard precautions with a betalactam antibiotic,
according to the information I got by telephone. The patient is stable
currently.

This is the 1st time a clinical diagnosis of cutaneous anthrax has been
made in this town. Though there were incidences of deaths of cattle in the
recent past in many villages, they were not due to anthrax, as determined
by the regional veterinary department.

Surprisingly, the buffalo with the infected udder is stable and alive, and
the other animal in the same stable has not yet developed any infection or
disease. I have yet to get the complete details.

In summary, this is the 1st documented case of human anthrax based on
clinical diagnosis in my town (Salem). Without any confirmation by the
clinical microbiology lab, it is very difficult to say that this lesion is
cutaneous anthrax. The affected animal also didn't succumb to the illness
as well.

--
A Kumar, MD
Salem, Tamil Nadu
<akm_70@yahoo.com>

[Our thanks to Dr Kumar for his informed comments. It sounds less and less
like cutaneous anthrax. A pathognomonic aspect of cutaneous anthrax is that
the inflamed lesions itch but are not painful.

The waves of livestock deaths in the area referred to by Dr Kumar followed
-- it was claimed -- from riverine toxic waste from textile dying units
(20080713.2131), toxic discharge from a bottling plant (20061215.3524), and
undetermined causes (20051118.3356). In the past, there have been frequent
reports of livestock anthrax as a result of discharges from local tanneries
in Tamil Nadu. - Mod.MHJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - KENYA (03): (CENTRAL PROVINCE), WILDLIFE
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[1]
Date: 4 Sep 2009
Source: Kenyans United [edited]
<http://www.kenyansunited.com/news/cattl ... ease-death>


A week ago, a man died of anthrax in Nyeri after eating infected cow meat.

A week earlier, although not reported, 2 rhinos from Nairobi National
Park died of anthrax. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) confirmed the
cause of deaths.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

******
[2]
Date: 5 Sep 2009
Source: East African Standard [edited]
<http://www.eastandard.net/news/InsidePa ... 43&cid=159&>


A week ago, a man died of anthrax in Nyeri. (KWS) confirmed the cause of death.

The death of the man should raise the red flag. There is great fear
that some of the meat being sold in and around Kitengela and Ongata
Rongai butcheries could be contaminated with anthrax, foot and mouth
[disease], and east coast fever. Investigations by The Standard on
Saturday [5 Sep 2009] revealed that sick and dying cattle are
slaughtered on the roadsides and expose nearby communities to outbreaks.

Last week, 5 km into Masai Lodge Road in Ongata Rongai, where herders
have set up temporary bomas [a boma is an enclosure to keep
livestock, usually made of thorn bushes, also known as a zariba], a
team from The Standard found sickly cattle being slaughtered for
distribution to neighbouring butcheries.

Mr Rolf Schmid, a restaurateur who has lived in the area for almost 2
decades, raised the alarm. "My 1st instinct was to contact the
Ministry of Health and veterinary officials to come and witness the
slaughter of dying cattle," he said.

The Ministry of Public Health officers and vets from Kajiado concur
that some of the cattle appeared sickly, although not all were
emaciated. The government health officials, who sought anonymity
because they are not authorised to be quoted, confirmed that the
animals pose danger.

Due to [the present severe] drought, Maasai herders drive the cattle
up to the city [Nairobi], and many of them are kept in bomas along
Mombasa Road. Tens of thousands of cattle that have been migrating
from Loitokitok, Tsavo West, Kibwezi, Sultan Hamud and Kajiado are
also being held in bomas on the northern and southern sides of the
Nairobi National Park. By day, these cattle are hosted on the local
ranches around the park and by night driven inside it for grazing.
Early this week, The Standard observed hundreds of cattle being
driven into the park on the southern end from the Masai Lodge Road.
Tired and exhausted, they walked in a profile, with some not
completing the journey.

According to a KWS senior warden, herders have been cutting the fence
to allow large numbers of cattle into the park. KWS impounded 1000
cattle, and when the herders came for them the next day, they said
some of the animals belong to "well connected Kenyans."

Due to severe drought and exhaustion of grazing fields, Nairobi
National Park is the only location [near the] city with ample
grazing. But now it is also massively threatened with decimation.
More worrying is the fact that the wild animals are also at great
risk of being infected with diseases. KWS officials say some
antelopes have been infected with foot and mouth disease.

[Byline: Dauti Kahura]

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail Rapporteur Susan Baekeland

******
[3]
Date: 24 Aug 2009
Source: Wildlife Direct [edited]
<http://baraza.wildlifedirect.org/2009/0 ... robi-park/>


In a meeting this weekend with the warden of Nairobi National Park,
Mr. Michael Wanjau of KWS, and some other government officials, as
well as residents of the area, it was revealed that tens of thousands
of cattle are grazing in the Nairobi National Park as a result of the
ongoing devastating drought.

Mr Wanjau admitted that the numbers of cattle in the park have
reached record levels. So weak from walking hundreds of kilometers in
search of grazing, many do not make it. Some herders are cutting the
fence of the park to let cattle in. Some are being herded across rivers.

The southern part of Nairobi park is littered with cattle carcasses,
and vultures, hyenas and lions have eaten their fill.

Out on the staging grounds in Kitengela, adjacent to the park where
cattle are gathering, hundreds are dying, and nobody is removing
carcasses. The Kenya Meat Commission tried to buy up the herds for
Ksh 8000 per cow [about USD 100], but herders have refused to sell;
they say they are hoping for rain.

Some dead and dying cattle are being butchered on the roadsides,
which poses a horrific public health situation. The Ministry of
Health is being informed as I write this blog post. Many cows
affected by foot and mouth disease simply cannot walk anymore.

The meeting on Saturday [5 Sep 2009] determined that the situation is
a crisis which demands that the government conduct compulsory
purchase of cattle to avert a public health and environmental
disaster. But it is being whispered that these cattle are owned by
rich and powerful Kenyans, a challenge that few Kenyans are willing
to take head on.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>

[Related reports:
Kenya: Residents turn to bush meat to survive famine
<http://allafrica.com/stories/200909070827.html>
Kenya: 15 000 children miss school as drought persists
<http://allafrica.com/stories/200909070579.html>
Uganda: Drought takes its toll on Lake Mburo Park
<http://allafrica.com/stories/200909070154.html>

It has long been a problem in East Africa that local herders will
move their cattle into the national parks because of the grazing
there and the over-grazing outside the parks. And as anthrax is
enzootic in the wildlife in virtually every African national park,
the immediate risks are obvious. The day is long past when these
marginal herds were vaccinated against anthrax. Until the drought in
East Africa breaks, it can only get worse.

To find Kenya (Central Province), go to:
<http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/ma ... /kenya.pdf>. Nyeri:
<http://www.fallingrain.com/world/KE/1/Nyeri.html>. - Mod.MHJ]

ANTHRAX - INDIA: (ORISSA)
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Date: 14 Oct 2009
Source: MeriNews [edited]
<http://www.merinews.com/article/malnutr ... 6256.shtml>


Malnutrition, anthrax dominate in Orissa's tribal areas
-------------------------------------------------------
Apart from tribals' health care practices, absence of any
supplementary diet, unhygienic living conditions, chronic diseases
and apathetic attitude of officials concerned are also responsible
for malnutrition among children.

Orissa has a large concentration of tribal population in the country,
next to Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh. The undivided Koraput district
of Orissa is a district rich tribal culture from the 62 tribes. About
95 percent of tribals stay in remote rural villages here. Mostly,
they are poor, illiterate, landless, malnourished and poverty
stricken with a bearing on the lives of the elderly people. Koraput
often hogs limelight for many wrong reasons.

Due to severe malnutrition among the tribals, physiological old age
comes to them much earlier. Instead of chronological ageing, they
become old as per their physiological signs. A male and female adult
tribal normally becomes old at the age of 43 and 37 respectively and
their life expectancy is usually below 56 years. They rely more on
occult than the modern medical care, trusting their traditional
primitive physicians. As they stay far away from government medical
facilities, they often die before any detection of a disease is made.

The deadly anthrax has threatened the existence of Koraput tribals.
Dr Murali Dhar Majhi says, "Out of the 30 districts in Orissa, 18
have been identified as endemic to anthrax. The disease which mainly
affects farm animals, is spread by spores. The fast spreading disease
affects mostly wild and domestic lower vertebrates like cattle, goats
and other herbivores but can also infect humans. Three types of
anthrax, cutaneous, respiratory and intestinal, are affecting the
Koraput tribals. The rod-shaped microbe called _Bacillus anthracis_
is responsible for this spore-forming disease. The cutaneous form of
anthrax is usually found in interior areas of the Koraput. Anthrax
infection of the intestinal tract is also taking precious lives in
Koraput. The pulmonary anthrax is extremely deadly but it is rare
here. On the other hand, cutaneous anthrax accounts for 95 percent of
anthrax cases in the locality. Because of blind beliefs, the disease
is left untreated and progresses to a dangerous bloodstream
infection, which becomes fatal," he added.

Recently, animals, including cows and goats died of anthrax in large
number in Narayanpatna, Lamtaput, Nandapur, Semiliguda, Laxmipur and
Dasamantpur blocks of Koraput. The disease was 1st traced at Sarapali
village under Bandhugaon block of the district in 1992. As per local
NGO Sanskar report, 30 persons have died and more than 50 persons
have been diagnosed as anthrax affected from 2008 May to June, 2009
[or over 14 months. - Mod.MHJ]

--
Communicated by ProMED-mail Correspondent Susan Baekeland

[Orissa is a constant in the OIE reports from India and the reasons
are now obvious ... malnutrition in the human population resulting in
the consumption of sick and dying animals; reactive livestock
vaccination when it is done and not a structured proactive programme;
and if the humans are malnourished the livestock will also be
malnourished and therefore will not respond adequately when and if
vaccinated; and result in the prolonged 14 month epidemic seen in 2008-9.

Orissa can be located in eastern India in the following map:
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_e ... _pol01.jpg>
- Mod.MHJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, LIVESTOCK - KENYA: (RIFT VALLEY) SUSPECTED
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Wed 23 Dec 2009
Source: Daily Nation, Kenya [edited]
<http://www.nation.co.ke/News/regional/- ... /8o60wo/-/>


A person has died and several others have been admitted to hospital
over what is suspected to be anthrax in Trans Mara District. There
was congestion at the district hospital as more than 40 people
reported to have eaten the infected meat were brought in for treatment.

An ambulance from the hospital and taxis had a difficult time
accessing the remote area where the incident occurred. With no other
means of transport for the victims, the ambulance made several trips
to the area.

District public health officer Anthony Mwanthi said a person had
died, 3 had been admitted to hospital, while 39 others with mild
symptoms were treated and discharged.

Mr Mwanthi said the affected area was prone to anthrax outbreaks,
noting that in October 2009, one person died and 33 others were
admitted to hospital after eating the carcass of an infected animal.

The health officer said that despite efforts to curb anthrax
outbreaks, the residents were still ignoring the dangers of eating
un-inspected meat. He cautioned the residents against relying on
herbs, which they believe to have the power to sterilise meat, and
instead engage the services of the public health officers to inspect
the meat. "It's time the locals changed their attitudes towards some
cultural beliefs, especially those which expose them to dangers," he said.

However, according to one of the residents, Mr Peter Sankale, it was
hard for many locals to dispose of carcasses by burning or burying
them, as this is a cultural taboo.

There are fears that more infections might occur as hundreds of
animals continue to be slaughtered for the end of year festivities
without being inspected.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR <promed-eafr@promedmail.org>

[In the past 4 years, livestock anthrax has been reported in the
following Kenyan provinces: Central, Coast, Eastern, Nairobi, and the
Rift Valley. These have been mainly in cattle but also in sheep and
goats. The higher numbers in the Nairobi area probably reflect a
reporting bias and proximity to better diagnostic facilities. The
human loses are significant, with 136 cases in 2005-2008. There is an
unfortunate high probability that infected meat is sold in local
markets. Depending on herbs to quell the infection only increases the
probability of death. - Mod.MHJ]

[Anthrax spores survive for years in the environment, but the
herbivores are particularly susceptible to being exposed to the
spores, especially when grazing close to the ground during the dry
season. Human beings may develop cutaneous anthrax through a skin
lesion, gastrointestinal anthrax following ingestion of meat from an
animal that died of the disease, or pulmonary (inhalation) anthrax
from breathing in airborne anthrax spores. The public should be
educated in avoiding meat from diseased or dead animals and on the
burying of carcasses to prevent outbreaks. Special messages should be
designed to counter dangerous taboos so as to prevent recurrence of
the outbreaks.

The Rift Valley Province is found at number 7 on the map of Kenya
located at <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provinces_of_Kenya>, and the
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Kenya can be accessed at
<http://healthmap.org/r/006h>. - Mod.JFW]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - ZIMBABWE: (MASHONALAND WEST AND EAST)
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: 27 Dec 2009
Source: The Sunday Mail [edited]
<http://www1.sundaymail.co.zw/inside.asp ... 4365&cat=1>


One person and 25 cattle died last week following an outbreak of the
deadly anthrax disease in Chegutu [Mashonaland West] and Seke
[Mashonaland East].

As part of measures to curb the spread of the disease, the Veterinary
Field Services in the Ministry of Agriculture promptly launched a
programme to vaccinate more than 100 000 head of cattle in the
affected areas, which also include Selous and Mhondoro.

The department's deputy director, Dr Chenjerai Jagu, confirmed the
outbreak to ZBC News on Christmas Day. He warned people against
consuming meat from "suspicious" sources and slaughtering cattle
which appear sick.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>

[One should suspect that this outbreak in 2 adjoining districts in
adjoining provinces is probably far worse than this brief report
indicates. One can only hope that they have the vaccine (and money)
to vaccinate 100 000 cattle.

To find Chegutu, go to:
<http://www.maplandia.com/zimbabwe/masho ... utu-rural/>,
Seke:
<http://www.maplandia.com/zimbabwe/masho ... east/seke/>.
- Mod.MHJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - ZIMBABWE (03): (MASHONALAND WEST AND EAST)
*******************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: 29 Dec 2009
Source: Globaltimes.cn [edited]
<http://life.globaltimes.cn/health/2009-12/495101.html>


Anthrax outbreak feared to be spreading in Zimbabwe
---------------------------------------------------
Anthrax is feared to be spreading in Zimbabwe as veterinary officials
said on Monday [28 Dec 2009] they are testing a suspected case of the
deadly disease from a rural growth point about 50 kilometers [about
30 miles] East of Harare. The suspected case followed an outbreak of
the disease in central parts of the country last week, which killed
one person and 25 cattle.

Veterinary Services Department deputy director Chenjerai Njagu told
Xinhua on Monday that the results of the suspected case from Juru
Growth Point in Goromonzi district would be out on Tuesday. He said
the area is one of the few districts which were left out during
vaccination done at the beginning of the year. "We left out Goromonzi
and Seke districts because of shortage of vaccines," said Njagu. "Now
these are the areas giving us problems because we had not vaccinated
them at the beginning of the year."

The anthrax outbreak in Seke, some 40 km [25 miles] South-East of
Harare, killed 18 cattle while one person and 7 cattle succumbed to
the disease which broke out last week in Selous, 60 km [37 miles]
North-West of the capital.

Njagu said the disease was dangerous as one case can kill several
people who consume meat from an infected animal. He said the
department would soon move into the affected areas to vaccinate
cattle. The department vaccinated 1100 cattle in Seke over the
Christmas holiday but Njagu said the turnout was very low. "The
turnout was low and we are going to repeat vaccination after the
holiday," he said.

Anthrax is a soil-borne disease which is endemic in Zimbabwe. It is
normally recorded during the rainy season when sprouting grass brings
out the bacteria from soil.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[The previous report claimed a target of vaccinating 100 000 and this
indicates problems getting 1100 animals vaccinated. As this evolving
epidemic is close to Harare, I think we can be more optimistic about
its eventual control than one, say, in Matabeleland. The tragedy is
that before it was Zimbabwe this disease was tightly controlled and
only a handful of outbreaks each year. - Mod.MHJ]

ANTHRAX, HUMAN, BOVINE - INDIA (WEST BENGAL)
********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: 29 Apr 2010
Source: The Hindu, India [edited]
<http://www.thehindu.com/2010/04/29/stor ... 411100.htm>


Anthrax outbreak kills 2 people in West Bengal
----------------------------------------------
An anthrax outbreak has killed 2 people and affected more than 50 people at
a tribal village in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district in the past 2
days. This is the 1st outbreak of the disease in the district in recent
past, according to officials of the Health Department.

"About 150 people from 32 families of Chandmora village consumed a dead cow
on 18 Apr 2010. Soon after, several persons developed skin lesions and ran
high temperature. Instead of approaching the local health centre, they
sought treatment from a quack. Only after the condition of 2 persons turned
critical did they go to the Midnapore Medical College on Monday," Nripoti
Roy, chief medical officer of the district, told The Hindu on Wednesday [28
Apr 2010]. Both deaths occurred on Tuesday [27 Apr 2010], and another case
was critical.

"Primarily, it appears like an anthrax outbreak. We have sent medical teams
to the village to treat the affected. A pathological team visited the
village on Wednesday to collect samples, and it will submit a report
shortly," Dr Roy said. Health director Aniruddha Kar said a team from the
School of Tropical Medicine would visit the village on Thursday. "This
disease is caused in humans mainly by consumption of animal carcasses. We
have started an awareness drive," he said.

[byline: Raktima Bose]

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Awareness drive? Why not put in place a state livestock anthrax control
and surveillance programme. It is cheaper, more cost effective, and it
automatically prevents humans getting this disease in spite of their
careless ways. Not every dead anthrax cow consumed produces human cases,
whether with cutaneous lesions or lethal gastroenteric infections. Thus the
disease is under-appreciated, and it is truly one of the very cheapest
animal diseases to control with vaccination. If you control the livestock
cases, you prevent the human cases.

The disease is enzootic in West Bengal: in 2005 (14 outbreaks killed 153
cattle); 2006 (14, 50); 2007 (16, 78 ); and 2008 (10, 43). There were 27
reported human cases in 2005 and 17 in 2006. This would seem to be
sufficient to justify having an effective proactive control programme.

To find this area, go to:
<http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/28/>
Midnapore:
<http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/28/Medinipur.html> - Mod.MHJ]