Concern rife as most animals still outside vaccination in Rangpur

RANGPUR, Nov 05: Three months have already elapsed since bacterial disease anthrax was transmitted to humans from infected livestock in Rangpur, but most of the farm and domestic animals in the district are yet to be vaccinated, giving rise to a grave concern among the commoners as well as the ranchers in the district.

According to the District Livestock Office sources, most of the cattle in different upazilas of the district are still outside the anthrax vaccination programme. On the other hand, anthrax vaccination of goats and sheep has not begun yet.

However, the district livestock officials said around 8,000-9,000 cows are being given anthrax vaccine every day.

Anthrax vaccination of goats and sheep is expected to be started once the PPR vaccination is completed, sources further said.

According to the district livestock office sources, there are some 1.6 million cows, 1.1 million sheep and goats, and 400 buffaloes in the district.

Vaccination activities against anthrax began in Rangpur since August to protect the health of livestock. So far, around 0.4 million cattle have been vaccinated in different upazilas under the district which is one fourth of the total number of cattle.

According to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) sources, humans become infected when they come into contact with the mucus, saliva, blood, meat, bones, intestines, skin, or fur of infected cattle.

IEDCR sources also said cutaneous anthrax is a curable disease.

However, without treatment, 20 out of every 100 people may die. Since last July, more than 100 people have been infected with anthrax symptoms in Pirgachha, Kaunia, Mithapukur upazilas and most recently in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur. Of them, two persons died in Pirgachha with symptoms of anthrax in July and September.

The local health department office says that those who are diagnosed with or have symptoms of anthrax in Rangpur are infected with cutaneous anthrax. This is further increasing the risk of anthrax transmission from livestock to humans. Therefore, the Livestock Department must urgently vaccinate cattle against anthrax.

When contacted, District Livestock Officer Dr. Abu Sayed told The Financial Express that there was no scarcity of anthrax vaccines for cattle. Veterinary medical teams in 76 unions of the district are carrying out vaccination activities. If the anthrax vaccination rate reaches 50 per cent, the immunity of livestock will increase, he further said.

When asked if the vaccination process is going slowly, Abu Sayed said, "There are two volunteers working in each union, amid a shortage of manpower. For example, although there are four veterinary field assistants are positioned in Pirganj to provide vaccines and general treatment to livestock, only one is working.

According to information received from the District Livestock Office, at least 125 cattle from 35 farmers in four upazilas showed symptoms of suspected anthrax. Of these, 55 were infected. 25 cows have died and 35 have been slaughtered. Officials say that if cattle are suspected of being infected with anthrax, they should inform the upazila livestock officials. The cow that was infected with anthrax in Taraganj recovered after treatment. However, farmers are reluctant to accept the Livestock Department's estimate of the number of cattle deaths. They said that more than a hundred cows and goats died in Pirgachha alone in July and August due to anthrax.

Raihan Ali, a cattle raiser of Pirgachha's Piarpara village said five cows and 18 to 20 goats have died in Piarpara during the past two to three months. Five goats and four cows have been slaughtered. Around 12 to 14 men and women from two villages developed symptoms of anthrax after coming into contact with and handling beef and goat meat. However, they are recovering well after receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, officials of the district livestock department and health department said they are repeatedly forbidding people to slaughter a cow if it is sick. Both institutions are holding yard meetings, street meetings, and meetings with meat traders to create public awareness.

When contacted, Civil Surgeon,Rangpur, Dr. Shahin Sultana told The Financial Express that samples of 24 suspected patients with anthrax symptoms of the district were sent to IEDCR, among which 11 were found to be positive.

The infected people are being given necessary treatment, she also said. She, however, said that the main work is with the Department of Livestock. If the Livestock Department does not complete the cattle vaccination programme as soon as possible, more cattle might be infected. People would also be infected by slaughtering infected cows, she added.

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