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ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

A

alert

Senior Moderator
I think we should start posting all Orissa anthrax outbreaks in a single thread here.

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,79706

Archive Number 20091020.3610
Published Date 20-OCT-2009
Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax - India: (OR)

ANTHRAX - INDIA: (ORISSA)
****************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org

Date: 14 Oct 2009
Source: MeriNews [edited]
<http://www.merinews.com/article/malnutrition-anthrax-dominate-in-orissas-tribal-areas/15786256.shtml>


Malnutrition, anthrax dominate in Orissa's tribal areas
-------------------------------------------------------
Apart from tribals' health care practices, absence of any
supplementary diet, unhygienic living conditions, chronic diseases
and apathetic attitude of officials concerned are also responsible
for malnutrition among children.

Orissa has a large concentration of tribal population in the country,
next to Maharastra and Madhya Pradesh. The undivided Koraput district
of Orissa is a district rich tribal culture from the 62 tribes. About
95 percent of tribals stay in remote rural villages here. Mostly,
they are poor, illiterate, landless, malnourished and poverty
stricken with a bearing on the lives of the elderly people. Koraput
often hogs limelight for many wrong reasons.

Due to severe malnutrition among the tribals, physiological old age
comes to them much earlier. Instead of chronological ageing, they
become old as per their physiological signs. A male and female adult
tribal normally becomes old at the age of 43 and 37 respectively and
their life expectancy is usually below 56 years. They rely more on
occult than the modern medical care, trusting their traditional
primitive physicians. As they stay far away from government medical
facilities, they often die before any detection of a disease is made.

The deadly anthrax has threatened the existence of Koraput tribals.
Dr Murali Dhar Majhi says, "Out of the 30 districts in Orissa, 18
have been identified as endemic to anthrax. The disease which mainly
affects farm animals, is spread by spores. The fast spreading disease
affects mostly wild and domestic lower vertebrates like cattle, goats
and other herbivores but can also infect humans. Three types of
anthrax, cutaneous, respiratory and intestinal, are affecting the
Koraput tribals. The rod-shaped microbe called _Bacillus anthracis_
is responsible for this spore-forming disease. The cutaneous form of
anthrax is usually found in interior areas of the Koraput. Anthrax
infection of the intestinal tract is also taking precious lives in
Koraput. The pulmonary anthrax is extremely deadly but it is rare
here. On the other hand, cutaneous anthrax accounts for 95 percent of
anthrax cases in the locality. Because of blind beliefs, the disease
is left untreated and progresses to a dangerous bloodstream
infection, which becomes fatal," he added.

Recently, animals, including cows and goats died of anthrax in large
number in Narayanpatna, Lamtaput, Nandapur, Semiliguda, Laxmipur and
Dasamantpur blocks of Koraput. The disease was 1st traced at Sarapali
village under Bandhugaon block of the district in 1992. As per local
NGO Sanskar report, 30 persons have died and more than 50 persons
have been diagnosed as anthrax affected from 2008 May to June, 2009
[or over 14 months. - Mod.MHJ]

--
Communicated by ProMED-mail Correspondent Susan Baekeland

[Orissa is a constant in the OIE reports from India and the reasons
are now obvious ... malnutrition in the human population resulting in
the consumption of sick and dying animals; reactive livestock
vaccination when it is done and not a structured proactive programme;
and if the humans are malnourished the livestock will also be
malnourished and therefore will not respond adequately when and if
vaccinated; and result in the prolonged 14 month epidemic seen in 2008-9.

Orissa can be located in eastern India in the following map:
<http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/india_pol01.jpg>
- Mod.MHJ]

[see also:
2008
----
Anthrax, human, bovine - India (Orissa) 20080608.1826
Anthrax, human, livestock - India (04): (Orissa) 20080603.1775
Anthrax, bovine - India (02): (Orissa) 20080407.1277
Anthrax, human, livestock - India (03): (AP, Orissa) 20080210.0539
Anthrax, human, livestock - India (02): (AP, Orissa), conf. 20080206.0489
Anthrax, human, livestock - India: (AP, Orissa) susp. 20080204.0457
2007
----
Anthrax, human, livestock - India (Orissa) 20070603.1798
2003
----
Anthrax, human, livestock - India (Orissa) 20030914.2328
2001
----
Anthrax, human, livestock - India (Orissa) 20010601.1084]
...................................sb/mhj/ejp/mpp
 
Re: ProMed: Even more anthrax in Orissa

Re: ProMed: Even more anthrax in Orissa

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?glide=EH-20100512-26058-IND

At least seven cases of anthrax virus were detected in two villages under Kutra Gram Panchayat in Kutra block of Sundargarh district, official sources said today. Four persons, including a 4-year-old girl, have acquired symptoms of anthrax disease from Kusumdih village while three cases were detected from nearby Kiringasira yesterday. All affected persons were admitted to community health centre at Kutra and their condition was stated to be improving. The affected persons were identified as Indra Nayak, 22, Suren Nayak, 22, Tanis Soren, 40, all from Kiringsira village and four others Bimall Ekka, 20, Birendra Minz, 26, Saiman Ekka, 65, and Muni Nayak, 4, from Kusumdih village, the sources said. A medical team with sufficient medicines and health workers today rushed to the two affected villages and door to door health check-ups have started. The villagers with suspected cases of anthrax were also given preventive medicines. All precautionary measures are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease, Dinabandhu Panda, in-charge of Kutra CHC, who is camping in affected villages said. People who consume meat of dead herbivorous animals like cow, goats, pigs and even touch their hides can get affected by Bacillus Anthracis bacteria. The poor tribals of two villages have eaten and handled a dead cow and a dead sheep a week ago, Panda said.
 
Re: ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

http://promedmail.org/pls/apex/f?p=..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,82677

Archive Number 20100512.1547
Published Date 12-MAY-2010
Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax, human, livestock - India: (OR)


ANTHRAX, HUMAN, LIVESTOCK - INDIA: (ORISSA)
********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: 12 May 2010
Source: DNA India [edited]
<http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_seven-cases-of-anthrax-detected-in-orissa_1382163>


At least 7 cases of anthrax virus were detected in 2 villages under
Kutra Gram Panchayat in Kutra block of Sundargarh district, official
sources said today [12 May 2010]. Four persons, including a
4-year-old girl, have acquired symptoms of anthrax disease from
Kusumdih village, while 3 cases were detected from nearby Kiringasira
yesterday. All affected persons were admitted to the community health
centre at Kutra, and their condition was stated to be improving.

The affected persons were [aged 22, 22, 40 (Kiringsira village), 20,
26, 65, and 4 years old (Kusumdih village)], the sources said.

A medical team with sufficient medicines and health workers today [12
May 2010] rushed to the 2 affected villages, and door to door health
check-ups have started. The villagers with suspected cases of anthrax
were also given preventive medicines. All precautionary measures are
being taken to prevent the spread of the disease, Dinabandhu Panda,
in-charge of Kutra CHC, who is camping in affected villages, said.

People who consume the meat of dead herbivorous animals like cows,
goats, and pigs, or who even only touch their hides, can become
infected by _Bacillus Anthracis_ bacteria. The poor tribals of 2
villages ate and handled a dead cow and a dead sheep a week ago, Panda said.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>

[As you will see from our previous reports from Orissa, there is a
long Orissan history of human infections consistent with eating
contaminated meat. If you are going to prevent human cases, the most
cost-effective method is to vaccinate your livestock, especially
cattle. You can lecture, preach to, beg folk to not eat meat from
sick animals, but if they are poor and malnourished, you are talking
to an empty room. They don't listen, and if they do, they forget.
Vaccinate! And do it proactively, not retroactively. - Mod.MHJ]
 
Re: ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

Anthrax outbreak in India
by Ashton Daigle on June 11, 2010


Anthrax spores
Health officials in Orissa, India's Koraput district say anthrax cases in humans are on the rise, according to a news report released by the Indo-Asian News Service.

Medical officer Nabaghana Chaudhuri told IANS reporters that the number of human anthrax cases is now at 18. Five new cases were confirmed on Wednesday.

?The latest infections have been detected in Semiliguda block,? Chaudhuri said.

He reported that, so far, three people of Biliguda village have contracted the disease as well as one each in the Parajakhandi and Bariguda villages.

All of the infected developed the illness June 2, according to the IANS report.

Approximately 13 people from two villages under the neighboring Dasmantpur block were also treated last month after medical officials confirmed they had been infected.

?All these people got the anthrax virus after eating rotten meat,? Chaudhuri told IANS. ?Those affected, including the latest five persons, are out of danger. Medical teams are camping in the affected villages to prevent spread of the disease.?

Anthrax, mainly a disease of farm animals but a leading bioterror hazard, is spread by spores. The fatality rate without quick antibiotic treatment after inhaling anthrax spores is as high as 80 percent.

Anthrax mainly affects wild and domestic lower vertebrates like cattle, goats and other herbivores, but can also infect humans. When anthrax infects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Those infected will suffer nausea, vomiting of blood, and abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and weakness.
http://www.bioprepwatch.com/news/213356-anthrax-outbreak-in-india
 
Re: ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,86478

Archive Number 20110103.0028
Published Date 03-JAN-2011
Subject PRO/AH/EDR> Anthrax - India: (OR), human cases 2002-2010

ANTHRAX - INDIA: (ORISSA), HUMAN CASES 2002-2010
*************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>

Date: Sun 2 Jan 2011
Source: Orissa Diary [edited]
<http://www.orissadiary.com/ShowDistrictNews.asp?id=23594>


The anthrax disease is increasing in Koraput District due to lack of
awareness among the tribals and negligence of the District Health
Administration and Animal Resources Department. During the last 9
years 45 [people have] died of anthrax, out of 439 [cases].

As per the information, in 1992 an anthrax patient was identified for
the 1st time in Sarapalli of Bandhugan Block. Thereafter anthrax
patients were identified in Narayanpatna, Laxmipur, Dasmantpur,
Baipariguda, Lamtaput, Semeliguda, Potangi, and Nandapur and many of
the them have died. But the district administration has taken no such
eye caching steps for anthrax. [As reported by the government, over
the last 9 years 45 people have died of anthrax, out of 439 affected
people. During 2002, 2 persons died out of 42 cases.] During 2003
[rest of sentence is missing. MHJ]

During 2004, 3 died out of 11 cases; during 2005, 6 died out of 52
cases. During 2006, 4 out of the affected 19 persons died. During the
2007, 11 of 55 affected died. During 2008, 8 out of 68 affected died.
During the year 2009, 3 of 59 affected died. During 2010, none of the
affected 22 persons died.

--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[Indian health statistics are not totally reliable. These numbers for
Orissa differ from what they have told us before but the story is the
same. Anthrax is a chronic problem in the state and the authorities
appear to be ignoring it, especially when it afflicts the tribals.
And it is not unlikely that the disease springs from the livestock
being fed contaminated feed, such as, oil cakes. This would make it
hop around from one district to another.

To find Orissa go to <http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/>.
Koraput district can be found on the map at the Diary report above or
at <http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/Koraput.html>. The
HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of India is available at
<http://healthmap.org/r/01w2>. - Mod.MHJ]
 
Re: ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

Anthrax scare in Kandhamal
PTI | 12:06 PM,Jun 12,2011
Phulbani (Orissa), June 12 (PTI) Anthrax scare has gripped Orissa's tribal dominated Kandhamal as at least 12 people including children, were affected by the dreaded disease in Tumudibandh block of the district, official sources said.The condition of two of the 12 patients at Guchua village in Gumma Grama Panchayat, where the disease surfaced three days ago, was stated to be critical, Additional District Medical Officer (Public Health), Jatin Patnaik, said.Both the patients were admitted to hospital at Tumudibandha and rest of the affected people were being treated at their houses in isolated rooms as the disease is highly contagious, Patnaik said.The disease has created panic in the locality but steps have been taken to check its further spread, he said.The disease broke out in the remote village with a population of only 120, including 48 people from Kutia Kondh (primitive tribe) apparently due to consumption of rotten beef and pork, sources said.Receiving information, a health team from Phulbani led by CDMO N C Behera and a mobile health team from Balliguda rushed to the village and geared up the preventive measures.All houses were disinfected with DDT and bleaching powder. The team also collected skin smear and blood samples from the affected people for medical examination.The villagers were also advised not to take rotten beef and pork and keep away from the patients. Rotten dried pieces of beef and pork were also found in some houses and destroyed, Dr Patnaik informed.

http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/anthrax-scare-in-kandhamal/723458.html
 
Re: ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

Anthrax scare in Kandhamal, 15 affected
Express News Service , The New Indian Express
Posted on Jun 13, 2011 at 03:53pm IST Share
0
inShare.

BERHAMPUR: Anthrax scare has gripped the tribal-dominated Kandhamal district as over 15 persons, including children, have been affected in Tumudibandh block of the district. Badagochuka and Sanagochuka villages in the block have been hit by the disease. The disease was detected nine days back.

Seven of the affected villagers were shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital on Saturday night, said superintendent of the hospital Jogendra Behera.

Kandhamal CDMO Nrusingha Charan Behera said though the symptoms appear to be of anthrax, it can only be confirmed after serological tests. Behera said eight patients were being treated at Tumudibandha hospital. Swabs of these patients have been sent to MKCG for tests. Doctors have also collected skin smear and blood samples from the affected people for examination.

...

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/anthrax-scare-in-kandhamal-15-affected/158935-60-117.html
 
Re: ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

Anthrax scare: Swab tests found positive
Express News Service , The New Indian Express
Posted on Jun 15, 2011 at 04:20pm IST

BERHAMPUR: Anthrax is fast spreading in different villages of Tumudibandh block in Kandhamal district. The outbreak was first reported in Sanaguchuka village in Gumma panchayat and 10 days later, it has spread to 10 more villages under Bilamala and Belaghar panchayats.

The swab and blood tests of four persons from the affected villages were found positive on Monday. Even the blood samples and swabs sent for tests last week were found positive. The disease has so far affected 25 persons.

Meanwhile, health camps� have been opened in Badaguchuka and Sanaguchuka. The health officials informed that steps have been initiated to disinfect water bodies in the affected areas and the inhabitants have been asked not to consume dry meat.

Condition of the affected persons who were admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital is stated to be stable.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/anthrax-scare-swab-tests-found-positive/159563-60-117.html
 
Re: ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

Seven more Anthrax cases reported
Express News Service , The New Indian Express
Posted on Jun 18, 2011 at 04:19pm IST

BERHAMPUR: MKCG Medical College and Hospital here received another seven persons with sympteoms of anthrax on Thursday night. They belong to Mahulpada village.� Anthrax scare gripped Kandhamal district after eight persons of Guchuka were shifted to Berhampur for treatment on June 11. Swab and blood tests of four affected persons were found positive. As many as 25 persons of villages in Tumudibandh block have contracted the disease.The disease reportedly affected the villagers after they consumed meat of dead animals. The disease has claimed many animals and a veterinarian from Cuttack has reached the affected areas to assess the situation.

The spread of the disease, despite Government?s claims that the situation is under control, has many villagers pack bags for some safer� localities.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/seven-more-anthrax-cases-reported/160509-60-117.html
 
Re: ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

Man dies of suspected anthrax

Staff Reporter

He was one among the 14 admitted to hospital

BERHAMPUR: A person who was among the 14 from Kandhamal district admitted to MKCG Medical College Hospital in the city for suspected anthrax infection died on Saturday night. But as per MKCG medical authorities he did not die of anthrax.

Speaking to The Hindu, MKCG Medical College Hospital Superintendent Jogendra Behera said the deceased Ruluka Majhi died of liver damage.

?Since the day of his admission we had identified that his liquor addiction had damaged his liver seriously and it can be said to be the cause of his death,? Dr Behera said.

According to him, Majhi had been discharged from hospital on Saturday but he was admitted in the hospital again as he developed severe ailments again. And he died at night. He said all the fourteen patients suspected to be infected by anthrax, who had been admitted to the hospital in two phases since June 10, have been discharged after treatment. But he did not confirm that they were infected by anthrax. The test of smears from the body at microbiology department of MKCG Medical College had not confirmed anthrax infection in any of these 14 patients, Dr Behera said. ?But we have not ruled out the possibility of anthrax completely as they had cutaneous symptoms related to such infection and samples from all these patients have been sent for ?microbial culture test' for confirmation,? he added.

...

http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/20/stories/2011062051940300.htm
 
Re: ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

Health team to visit anthrax-hit Kandhamal
TNN | Jun 20, 2011, 10.44pm IST

BHUBANESWAR/BERHAMPUR: The state government on Monday asked the MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, to send a medical team to Kandhamal district where some areas are in the grip of anthrax. This follows the death of a 40-year-old man from suspected anthrax on Saturday.

The blood sample of the deceased tested negative for anthrax. But that may be because he had already taken medicines, head of state diseases surveillance head Dr Bikash Patnaik. Two out of nine samples taken from the two affected villages within Tumudibandh block had "morphologically" tested positive for anthrax. "It appears the disease in Tumudibandh is anthrax," Dr Patnaik. The medical team, including a paediatrician, a medicine specialist and a microbiologist, among others, will further assess the situation before confirming or ruling out anthrax, Dr Patnaik said.

Ruruka Majhi of Bada Gochhaka village, who was admitted to hospital due to suspected anthrax, died of liver failure, hospital sources said. Fifteen others, including two children of Sana Guchhuka and Bada Guchhuka villages, are suffering from suspected anthrax following consumption of rotten meat of cattle and goat.

"We have tested the blood samples of 16 persons, who were suspected to be suffering from anthrax. While seven of them were admitted to hospital, nine samples were collected from the field by the medical staff of Kandhamal," said Dr Preetilata Panda, associate professor, microbiology, of MKCG Medical College and Hospital. Dr Panda sent her report to the health department as well as to Kandhamal district administration on Monday. Earlier, the veterinary experts have said domestic animals in the area tested negative for anthrax.

...
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...anthrax-hit-Kandhamal/articleshow/8929437.cms
 
Re: ProMed: Anthrax in Orissa

ProMed comment on the above report;

[Diagnosing anthrax in humans always presents problems, not least because they frequently self-medicate with antibiotics, so that when they present themselves for examination by a physician or a nurse-practitioner they can be bacteriologically negative though toxin positive. My late and dear friend Benyamin Cherkasskyi in Moscow would tell me that at best he could confirm 30 per cent of cutaneous lesions, essentially by sampling the fluids below the lesion. The other problem is that any contaminated meat in a public health investigation can be long gone by the time the PH investigators are mobilised. And, thirdly, humans and livestock die from many conditions and anthrax incidence is not high on that list.

My only advice to my medical colleagues is that when they set out on such an endeavor that they include a veterinary epidemiologist so that he or she can be actively tracing back on any speculative sources while they are still warm. Why? Because human anthrax cases, challenging and interesting though they can be, are merely mine canaries for a bigger problem. If it is anthrax, there will have been prior animal cases, which seeded the human cases. By identifying where these animal cases are occurring, preventive action can be put in place and any existing animal health control programmes corrected. This will cheaply prevent any more human cases, which incur high costs in treatment and hospitalisation. For example, in this speculative incident there has been one death, 7 hospitalised, and 8 presumably on oral antibiotics, plus all the necessary supportive laboratory work. Prevention is always cheaper than cure.

The HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of India can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/0ZiP. A map of Orissa showing the location of Kandhamal district can be seen at http://www.travelindia-guide.com/maps/east/orissa_map_s.jpg. To find Berhampur, go to http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/21/Brahmapur.html. - Mod.MHJ]

http://beta.promedmail.org/direct.php?id=20110622.1908
 
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