Anthrax outbreak in remote areas of AP

Visakhapatnam, May 10: Outbreak of Anthrax in the remote areas has been reported from Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh.

According to the Labburu Primary Health Centre, nearly 51 cases of Anthrax are reported so far. Out of this, 11 people died and five persons are showing the symptoms of Anthrax.

To allay the panic among the people, a medical official has announced that all possible measures were taken to counter the disease.

"The special team will visit the houses. We are recommending to all these families that they must resort to tablets. All the steps required are being taken up. I would like to appeal that there is no reason to panic," said Janardhan Rao, a doctor.

Fast-spreading spore-borne disease, Anthrax mainly affects wild and domestic lower vertebrates like cattle, goats and other herbivores, but can also infect humans.

When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products.

Those infected will have nausea, vomiting blood, and abdominal pain, bloody diarrhoea and weakness.

Anthrax, mainly a disease of farm animals, is spread by spores. Fatality rate without quick antibiotic treatment after inhaling the spores is as high as 80 per cent.

ANI