Bhubaneswar: Odisha is a major contributor to the number of anthrax cases in the country, according to studies done in India. Over the past 15 years, 14 out of 30 districts in Odisha have experienced outbreaks of human anthrax, with 1,208 cases and 436 deaths, the study found.
After the recent outbreak that infected 12 persons and killed one, a central investigation found that the spread of anthrax cases in Odisha is due to the handling of animal carcasses, with no evidence of human-to-human transmission. The regional director of the directorate generate of health services has inquired and sent a report, according to reports.
The cases have been reported from the villages of Tentuliguda, Gulimusa and Dasmantpur. The surviving infected 11 persons are under treatment and stable, local reports said. “All of those who have been infected, including the one who died, handled the carcasses of (infected) animals as per the investigation report,” an official told HT, adding that the situation is under control.
“Anthrax is a major but neglected zoonotic disease of public health concern in India with Odisha contributing a major share to the disease burden. The real burden of anthrax in India is not understood precisely since a significant number of cases go unreported and only a portion of human cases seek medical care,” said researchers in a study published in 2021 entitled ‘One Health Approach for the Elimination of Human Anthrax in a Tribal District of Odisha: Study protocol’.
“Among those affected districts, Koraput has more than 300 human anthrax cases including 10 deaths over the past six years. Almost all the cases came from a group of indigenous tribes involved in handling and consuming animal carcasses,” the study said.
As per the National Animal Diseases Referral Expert System data, anthrax is one of the top 10 diseases reported in India and one of the major causes of death in livestock, with a high fatality rate. High density of tribal population of over 22% and extensive forest cover makes Odisha prone to anthrax outbreaks as meat is one of the primary foods of most indigenous tribes.
Without treatment, the disease has a high fatality of one in five to one in four, according to Vinod Scaria, a scientist at CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, the publication reported.
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is an infectious and often fatal disease caused by bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in soil and affects domestic and wild animals. It is a zoonotic disease, infecting people if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
It typically does not spread from animal to animal or person to person. The bacteria produces spores on contact with oxygen. If ingested or inhaled by an animal, or after entering through cuts in the skin, they can germinate and cause the disease. Inhalation anthrax is the most serious form and can kill quickly if not treated immediately. It is considered by experts a potential bioterrorism organism.
In humans, anthrax manifests in three distinct patterns — cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalational, according to the World Organisation for Animal Health. The most common is a skin infection, where people become infected by handling animals or animal products that contain spores. The disease can cause severe illness in both humans and animals.
What ICMR is doing in Odisha
The Indian Council of Medical Research is working to ensure effective diagnosis and disease management, and has formed detailed guidelines for affected districts in Odisha. ICMR’s Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar has conducted a study in four districts – Koraput, Rayagada, Malkangiri and Sundargarh on control strategies.
“People living in tribal areas are largely affected. Therefore, it is crucial to devise and implement control strategies keeping this fact in mind,” a government researcher told HT on condition of anonymity.
