Bengal
Anthrax scare in West Midnapore
The Statesman
28 Jun 2014
Nine persons, including children, have been affected
Biswabrata Goswami
biswabrata@thestatesman.net
Midnapore, 27 June
In a fresh case after a gap of many years, Anthrax scare has once again gripped the tribal-dominated Boxakura village under Panchkhuri gram-panchayat in West Midnapore as nine persons, including children, have been affected by the deadly disease.
As the matter reached the ears of Chief-Minister Mamata Banerjee, the district health department took war-footing steps to contain the outbreak and sent a medical team to the affected village.
The Animal Resource department also sent its team to curb the disease as most cases of Anthrax occur in livestock, such as cattle, horses, sheep, and goats.
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr Girish Bera said the disease broke out in the tribal village due to consumption of rotten beef. Dr Bera said: “As per the statements of the affected persons, the villagers brought a dead cow from the field of a nearby village and ate its meat.
“Those who came in contact with the dead cow have been affected by the disease, while those who ate the meat have not been affected yet. But, we have already given prophylactic therapy to 47 persons who ate the meat”, said Dr Bera.
The disease was first detected yesterday when a tribal man – Birsa Tudu had gone to the outpatient department of Midnapore Medical College and Hospital to be treated for his ailment.
Dr Arun Achar, a skin specialist first suspected the disease after observing the symptoms and he immediately informed the matter to the health administration. The health department rushed to the village and found others, including children, affected by the same symptoms.
A medical camp was immediately set up and swabs of these patients have been sent to MMCH and School of Tropical Medicine, in Kolkata, for tests. Doctors have also collected skin smear and blood samples from the affected people for examination.
The disease has created panic in the locality but steps have been taken to check further proliferation, Dr Bera said, adding that a health team has rushed to the village and undertaken the necessary preventive measures. All homes were disinfected with DDT and bleaching powder. The villagers were also advised not to take any type of beef and pork and keep away from the patients.
Biswabrata Goswami
biswabrata@thestatesman.net
Midnapore, 27 June
In a fresh case after a gap of many years, Anthrax scare has once again gripped the tribal-dominated Boxakura village under Panchkhuri gram-panchayat in West Midnapore as nine persons, including children, have been affected by the deadly disease.
As the matter reached the ears of Chief-Minister Mamata Banerjee, the district health department took war-footing steps to contain the outbreak and sent a medical team to the affected village.
The Animal Resource department also sent its team to curb the disease as most cases of Anthrax occur in livestock, such as cattle, horses, sheep, and goats.
Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr Girish Bera said the disease broke out in the tribal village due to consumption of rotten beef. Dr Bera said: “As per the statements of the affected persons, the villagers brought a dead cow from the field of a nearby village and ate its meat.
“Those who came in contact with the dead cow have been affected by the disease, while those who ate the meat have not been affected yet. But, we have already given prophylactic therapy to 47 persons who ate the meat”, said Dr Bera.
The disease was first detected yesterday when a tribal man – Birsa Tudu had gone to the outpatient department of Midnapore Medical College and Hospital to be treated for his ailment.
Dr Arun Achar, a skin specialist first suspected the disease after observing the symptoms and he immediately informed the matter to the health administration. The health department rushed to the village and found others, including children, affected by the same symptoms.
A medical camp was immediately set up and swabs of these patients have been sent to MMCH and School of Tropical Medicine, in Kolkata, for tests. Doctors have also collected skin smear and blood samples from the affected people for examination.
The disease has created panic in the locality but steps have been taken to check further proliferation, Dr Bera said, adding that a health team has rushed to the village and undertaken the necessary preventive measures. All homes were disinfected with DDT and bleaching powder. The villagers were also advised not to take any type of beef and pork and keep away from the patients.
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