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Anthrax
Cases in Orissa
(07 July
2003)
There have been 52 cases and 1 death reported due to
Anthrax during the period Jan to Jun 2003. Koraput has been regularly
reporting cases throughout the year. During 2002 they had 42 cases and 2
deaths and during 2001, 25 cases and 1 death. 2 blocks of Koraput district,
Bipariguda (10 cases) and Lamptapur (42 cases)have been involved. The cases
give history of skinning and meat consumption of dead animals. Some of the
patients had papules leading to skin ulcers. One patient died due to
septicaemia. This is a common finding and the villagers have a tendency to
hide the meat in their houses in spite of extensive IEC in the area. In a
previous cases, the police was used to enter, search and confiscate hidden
meat. Three samples were sent to CMC Vellore and confirmed microscopically by
the laboratory as Anthrax. On 25 June, a team including a Microbiologist and
an Epidemiologist from NICD has visited the area.
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