Anthrax Outbreak Suspected in Odisha's Koraput District, 2 Cases Confirmed
Bhubaneswar: An outbreak of anthrax is suspected at Padeiguda village in Odisha Koraput district. As per the information provided by the office of Rayagada Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), as many as two persons have been affected by anthrax in the village. Samples of as many as six persons were sent for testing and two among those samples were found positive.
The CDMO has directed the affected persons to remain in isolation to check the further spread of the disease.
Incidentally, Koraput is the epicentre of anthrax in the state and the disease is usually found at the beginning of the rainy season.
According to experts, anthrax is a rare disease caused by the spores of the bacterium Bacillus Anthracis. It causes enlargement of the spleen and is also known as spleen fever or ‘wool sorter’s disease’.
“The bacterium is transmitted from animals to humans and is caused by eating rotten meat,” the experts said.
Some parts of Rayagada and Koraput districts often report cases of anthrax as villagers reportedly consume rotten “meat.” The state government regularly undertakes awareness drives in the region urging people to adopt good food habits.
