Six persons diagnosed with Anthrax in Vizag dist

Visakhapatnam, Sep 28: Six persons were diagnosed with anthrax symptoms in Hukumpeta mandal of Visakhapatnam district. Health officials immediately shifted the patients to King George Hospital in the city for treatment. The officials are conducting medial camps in tribal hamlets in Hukumpeta mandal to identify more such cases. The disease might have spread due to tribals eating semi-cooked meat or due to drinking water collected from streams, which may contain dead animal matter. DMHO J Sarojini said that the disease could be skin-related anthrax. She said that Vizag hospitals can only treat skin-related anthrax and cannot handle intestine and respiratory anthrax. Health officials also alerted Animal Husbandry department to diagnose the disease and its point of origin. Officials are taking necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.