Is Rangpur emerging as a new anthrax cluster?

Thirty-four people infected with anthrax have received treatment at hospitals in Sundarganj, Gaibandha, within the Rangpur division as of yesterday (22 September), triggering fears that the division may be emerging as an anthrax cluster. The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has sent a team to investigate the anthrax outbreak in Sundarganj.

In September and October last year, around 100 people were infected with anthrax in Rangpur's Kaunia, Mithapukur and Pirgachha, with at least two deaths reported.

According to IEDCR surveillance data, anthrax outbreaks have so far been more prevalent in Sirajganj, Pabna, Tangail, Rajshahi and Meherpur. However, anthrax cases have also been reported in Rangpur this year and last year. The IEDCR therefore believes Rangpur may be emerging as a new anthrax cluster.

Dr Quazi Ahmed Zaki, director of the IEDCR, told The Business Standard that anthrax has long been present in the northern region.

"However, with infections now being reported in Sundarganj, Rangpur appears to be emerging as a new cluster," he said.

Dr Zaki said anthrax is covered by the IEDCR's routine surveillance programme. Direct surveillance is currently being conducted in three districts. Beyond that, anthrax cases in different parts of the country are identified and verified through event-based surveillance, using information from newspapers and other sources.

"Anthrax exists in different places at different times. There is no scope to say that it does not exist. Cases do occur in our northern region," he said.

Following the detection of anthrax cases in Sundarganj, an IEDCR team was sent there, he said, adding that the team was collecting information on the number of infections, the causes of transmission and the measures needed to control the outbreak.

In Sarbananda Union of Sundarganj, Rangpur, locals slaughtered a sick cow on 11 September and divided the meat into 100 portions. Four days later, four people who had participated in slaughtering and cutting the meat developed fever and blisters on different parts of their bodies, including the abdomen, hands, legs and fingers.

Since then, 34 people who had eaten the meat have been admitted to hospitals with symptoms of anthrax.

Regarding the transmission of anthrax to people following the slaughter of the cow in Sundarganj, the IEDCR director said people are at risk of contracting anthrax through contact with infected animals, particularly by slaughtering them, selling their meat or directly handling raw meat and other animal parts.

Anthrax is not limited to cattle, Dr Zaki said. The bacteria that cause the disease can be present in various types of animals, including domestic animals, animals living around humans and wild animals.

He stressed the importance of ensuring regular vaccination of livestock to control anthrax. He said it is the responsibility of the government, as well as livestock owners and local authorities, to ensure that domestic animals, including cattle, goats, buffaloes, sheep and horses, are regularly vaccinated.

If an animal is infected with anthrax, he advised against slaughtering it and selling its meat based on its economic value. Instead, the animal should be buried in the ground according to prescribed procedures.

The carcass must be buried in such a way that foxes, dogs or other animals cannot dig it up and eat it, he said.

Dr Zaki said the Department of Livestock Services has specific guidelines on the matter, and district and upazila livestock officials must ensure that the guidelines are followed.

He said anthrax bacteria can survive in soil for a long time. Therefore, even if the bacteria are present in an area, regular vaccination of livestock can help keep infections under control.

Apart from Rangpur, 38 anthrax patients were identified in Gangni upazila of Meherpur in August this year. In addition, 15 people in Daulatpur, Kushtia, were admitted to hospital after contracting anthrax two months ago.

According to the IEDCR, anthrax is a zoonotic disease endemic to the northern districts of Bangladesh. In 2019, the IEDCR initiated active anthrax surveillance in nine upazilas across five districts — Sirajganj, Pabna, Meherpur, Tangail and Rajshahi — based on previous anthrax outbreaks.

Since 2020, almost all anthrax cases have been reported from Meherpur district. Therefore, surveillance activities continue in three upazilas of Meherpur.