Biological Hazard - India, State of Odisha, Angul : Anthrax scare has gripped Angul district in Odisha with more than 35 people falling ill with suspected symptoms of the disease

 

Earth Watch Report  -  Biological Hazards

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12.06.2013

Biological Hazard

India

State of Odisha, Angul

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Biological Hazard in India on Wednesday, 12 June, 2013 at 03:28 (03:28 AM) UTC.

Description
Anthrax scare has gripped Angul district in Odisha with more than 35 people falling ill with suspected symptoms of the disease at Suleipal village under Kaniha block. Fifteen persons have been rushed to the SCB Medical College Hospital while the rest are being treated at the local hospital at Kaniha. All the affected persons are from the same village and are displaying symptoms of cutaneous anthrax infections, like severe lesions or wounds on the skin. "They have been admitted to the isolation ward of the hospital and are under the treatment of a special team of doctors. Though anthrax is yet to be confirmed, the symptoms are typical", emergency medical officer of the SCBMCH, Dr B M Moharana, said. According to sources, the people are suspected to have contracted the infection from dead animals. The villagers are reported to have consumed meat of about three dead goats. While the cause of the death of the animals could not be ascertained, the people who had partaken the meat have begun to fall ill. The suspected outbreak has become a cause of serious concern because Angul district is known to be non-endemic to the disease.
Biohazard name:	Anthrax
Biohazard level:	4/4 Hazardous
Biohazard desc.:	Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release.
Symptoms:
Status:	confirmed

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India: At least 35 people sickened with suspected anthrax in Odisha

Some 35 people in Angul district in Odisha have presented with symptoms consistent with cutaneous anthrax sending fear into the community, according to the New Indian Express today.

Anthrax image/Janice Carr-CDC

All the affected persons are from the same village and are suspected to have consumed meat of about three dead goats. It has not yet been determined if the goats were infected.
Fifteen persons have been rushed to the SCB Medical College Hospital while the rest are being treated at the local hospital at Kaniha.
“They have been admitted to the isolation ward of the hospital and are under the treatment of a special team of doctors. Though anthrax is yet to be confirmed, the symptoms are typical”, emergency medical officer of the SCBMCH, Dr B M Moharana, said.
Anthrax is a pathogen in livestock and wild animals. Some of the more common herbivores are cattle, sheep, goats, horses, camels and deers.
It infects humans primarily through occupational or incidental exposure with infected animals of their skins.
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. This spore forming bacteria can survive in the environment for years because of its ability to resist heat, cold, drying, etc. this is usually the infectiousstage of anthrax.


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