Fresh cases of anthrax detected in MP

JABALPUR: Close on the heels of the detection of anthrax in Madhya Pradesh's Narsinghpur district, seven cattle recently died of the disease near here, a senior official said on Friday.

Samples of the seven carcasses were sent for tests from Lakhanwara village, about 45 km from here, to the Veterinary Regional Disease Investigation Laboratory, which found anthrax in them, Joint Director of Veterinary Services M N Siddiqui said.

"Following detection of the disease, vaccination was carried out in villages within an 8-km radius of Lakhanwara to prevent its spread," Siddiqui said. Five teams of doctors are engaged in the operation.

Noting that sporadic outbreak of anthrax was noticed at times under humid conditions, Siddiqui said the disease was detected about two months ago in neighbouring Narsinghpur district and earlier in Hoshangabad.

"There is no need for alarm as the disease has been effectively contained and no fresh case was detected from the area," he said.