At least 14 people have been infected with anthrax, a bacterial disease that spreads from cattle, at Raghunathpur village in Raiganj upazila of Sirajganj district.
On information, a medical team from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) visited the village on Tuesday and found them infected with the viral disease after the test.
“They contacted the disease while slaughtering a sick cow,” Dr M Mushtuq Husain, principal scientific officer at the IEDCR in Dhaka yesterday said.
They are now undergoing treatment at Raiganj Upazila Health Complex, he said, adding that “Relevant antibiotic can cure the infected patients in five to seven days.”
The medical team urged the village not to slaughter any sick cow, he said.
Sirajganj Civil Surgeon Dr Mainuddin said experts from IEDCR collected samples from the patients for further test.
Health department, Raiganj upazila administration and livestock department officials held an urgent meeting in the upazila on Tuesday for creating awareness among the locals.
Livestock department will examine the animals of the village and take immediate initiatives, if necessary, Dr Mainuddin said.