Anthrax outbreak suspected after 7 kids fall sick in ASR district
The officials said the tribals of the remote village located along the Andhra-Odisha border (AOB) consumed the meat of dead cattle about 10 days ago. Later, seven children of the village showed symptoms of anthrax.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 26 Aug 2022 6:41 PM IST
Visakhapatnam: Health officials suspect an anthrax outbreak after seven children fell in Doraguda village under Laxmipuram panchayat of Munchingiput mandal in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district. The officials have sent the blood samples to King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam for verification.
The officials said the tribals of the remote village located along the Andhra-Odisha border (AOB) consumed the meat of dead cattle about 10 days ago. Later, seven children of the village showed symptoms of anthrax.
Recently, the staff of the primary health centre (PHC), Labburu, identified the suspected symptoms as anthrax outbreak during the medical camp held at weekly shandy Laxmipuram.
On being informed, additional district medical and health officer, ASR district, Dr. Leela Prasad, and a few others visited the affected village to take stock of the situation. "We have collected samples and sent them to KGH. We have administered prophylactic doses of antibiotics to all the villagers. The health staff will follow up for seven more days," Dr. Leela Prasad said.
In 2009-10, over 60 anthrax cases, including 10 deaths, were reported in parts of tribal pockets in Vizag Agency.
