The district authorities on Saturday claimed that no positive case of anthrax was detected in Kodandarama Puram village of Karveti Nagaram mandal. An emergency medical camp has been set up as a precautionary measure, and it would continue for the next one week.
On Friday morning, seven cases suspected to be that of anthrax, were reported at Government Hospital at Puttur, and this created a flutter among the officials and general public. While one case was referred to the SVRR Hospital, it was diagnosed as cerebral haemorrhage, six others were given first aid for blisters and skin rashes.
Joint Collector P.S. Gireesha along with the district medical and health authorities visited the village and interacted with about 50 families. The villagers admitted that they had consumed meat of dead cattle since a fortnight and post this act, they had reportedly developed blisters on their bodies.
Speaking to the media, the Joint Collector said six other suspect cases of anthrax too had proved negative at SVRR Hospital at Tirupati on Saturday.
The official urged the residents to destroy any stored meat at their houses and strictly desist from consuming the meat of dead cattle. He informed the people not to panic, but approach the local hospitals as and when they find blisters or feel uneasy.
Mr. Girisha instructed the District Medical and Health Officer Ramagiddaiah and District Coordinator of Health Services Sarala to coordinate with the field staff and continue the medical camp at the village for one week. He directed the Animal Husbandry Department personnel to vaccinate the cattle in the village and surrounding areas if necessary.
In view of the history of Karveti Nagaram mandal with outbreak of anthrax in 2000 and 2003, the officials of animal husbandry department and mandal medical officers were asked to be cautious and keep thorough surveillance in the vulnerable mandals.
