Anthrax virus downs 400 villagers in Cagayan

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines  – At least 400 residents of a remote Cagayan village have been infected by the anthrax virus from contaminated carabao meat.

Dr. Danilo Alonzo, Cagayan health officer, said the infected residents of Barangay San Pedro in central Lasam town are now undergoing treatment and continuous monitoring after falling ill from the deadly virus which they acquired from eating “double dead” carabao meat.

“The infected carabao died of anthrax on Feb. 19 and was butchered only on Feb. 25. (Its owner) sold its meat on credit basis to residents, including those from the neighboring barangays,” Alonzo said. 

Described to be lethal when not treated properly, anthrax, an acute disease spread by spores from the Bacillus anthracis, affects both humans and animals – both wild and domesticated herbivorous mammals which ingest or inhale the spores while grazing. 

Alonzo said they have released anti-anthrax drugs, intravenous fluids and antibiotics to Barangay San Pedro to prevent further spread of the disease.

“The spread of the disease (has) already (reached) epidemic proportion and we have to do all extraordinary measures to contain (it),” Alonzo said. 

Among the signs of anthrax infection in humans are headache, fever, abdominal pains, dry cough, and itchy skin lesions.