Panic in Rangpur’s Pirganj as nine people show symptoms of anthrax

A sense of fear and panic has spread across Pirganj upazila in Rangpur after nine people were found with symptoms of anthrax.

The local health and livestock departments have already issued an alert, while awareness campaigns are being carried out jointly by the administration, health, and livestock officials.

Health workers are visiting homes to advise residents on identifying and reporting sick animals.

According to the upazila health department, the matter came to light on Tuesday when five people with anthrax-like symptoms were admitted to Pirganj Upazila Health Complex. Later, a medical team from the health complex visited Dariyapur village under Ramnathpur union and identified four more patients.

The patients were identified as Ashura Begum, 65, Robiul Islam, 55, Shahid Mia, 23, Sharif Mia, 22, Khasa Mia, 52, Shilpi Khatun, 28, Al Mamun Mia, 16, Khorshed Ali, 25, -- all from Dariyapur village, and Rawhabul Mia, 32, from Cheragpur village.

Locals and family members of the infected said on October 11, a cow belonging to Ashura Begum suddenly fell ill and was later slaughtered. Eleven neighbours took part in butchering the animal, and the meat was distributed among 55 relatives.

Three days later, on October 14, five people -- including Ashura Begum -- developed anthrax-like symptoms.

Sahir Uddin, a resident of Dariyapur village, said, "I also received a share of that cow's meat and ate it. I haven't fallen sick yet, but my family and I are living in fear. Had I known the cow was sick, I would not have taken the meat."

Pirganj Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Masud Rana said, "Nine patients have been identified with anthrax-like symptoms. It does not spread easily from person to person. However, infection can occur through contact with infected animals or by consuming meat from an infected animal."

He added that alerts have been sent across the upazila, warning people not to slaughter sick cattle. A list of individuals who consumed the infected cow's meat has been prepared, and they are under close observation.

Pirganj Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Fazlul Kabir said, "There are about 350,000 animals in the upazila. We are conducting regular vaccination campaigns to prevent anthrax and are working to stop the sale and slaughter of sick animals. Right now, raising public awareness is the most important task."

Shamsher Ali, a farmer from Dariyapur village, said, "After the news, many people have stopped eating meat. Villagers are now afraid to go near the infected people."

According to data from the Rangpur Civil Surgeon's Office, until Wednesday, 38 suspected cases of anthrax had been detected in Pirgacha, 18 in Kaunia, 12 in Mithapukur, 7 in Gangachara, and 9 in Pirganj upazilas. Samples were collected from 33 patients for confirmation.

Rangpur Civil Surgeon Dr Shaheen Sultana said, "So far, 11 confirmed cases of anthrax have been recorded in the district. There are several more suspected patients. To confirm anthrax, there must be an open sore on the body; once it dries, samples can no longer be collected. So, the actual number of infections may be higher."

She added that special monitoring is ongoing in the affected areas, and medical teams are working on the ground.

Earlier in July and September, a man and a woman died with anthrax-like symptoms in Pirgacha upazila of Rangpur. Later, patients with similar symptoms were also identified in Sundarganj and Sadullapur upazilas of Gaibandha district.

On October 4, a woman named Rozina Begum of Sundarganj in Gaibandha died at Rangpur Medical College Hospital with anthrax symptoms.