Anthrax scare in Odisha village; 6 afflicted

Odisha Sun Times Bureau

Lamtaput, June 26:

Panic has gripped Lugum village in Ballel gram panchayat under Lamtaput block in Odisha’s Koraput district after the spread of the dreaded anthrax.

With the number of those afflicted with anthrax increasing with each passing day, the villagers are scared. Four persons – Hari Bhagdayat, Sunadhar Sisa, Kulu Kirshani and Oshmara Sisa – were admitted to the Ashakiran Hospital on June 22. Later, two more persons – Jagabandhu Sisa and Gurubari Sisa – were reportedly afflicted with anthrax.

It may be mentioned here that some persons of Lugum village had developed lesions on their bodies after consuming meat of a dead goat a few days ago.

As the lesions did not heal and further aggravated, four of them turned up at the Ashakiran Hospital for treatment, following which it came to light that anthrax had spread in Lugum village.

Officials of the Veterinary department on Wednesday visited Lugum village and vaccinated livestock, besides advising villagers against consuming flesh of dead animals.