Chittoor district more susceptible to anthrax?

By Our Staff Reporter.

TIRUPATI, OCT. 14. The recent biological attack on America by the spread of the dreaded Anthrax virus may not be a matter of immediate concern for humans in India but the fast spread of the deadly disease among the cattle and livestock population may spell real doom.

The recent rain in parts of the State, though late in this season, has provided the most congenial atmosphere for its spread and attack on animals particularly sheep, goat, milch cattle etc.

In general, Chittoor district is more susceptible to such attack compared to the neighbouring districts of Cuddapah and Nellore. In fact, the largest outbreak of 70-80 per cent was recorded in the district. Partly, the district's proximity to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu has a role to play in the spread.

Weird, but it has been admitted by Veterinarians that the frequent transfer of animals in the western mandals of the district across the border to Karnataka for cross-breeding has resulted in enough panic among the farmers and sheep-rearers.

The cross-breeding would have its effect on two aspects; one, it will reduce the resistance power to diseases in the animals and two, they are more prone to have contact with anthrax-affected animals. Weekly shandies are providing yet another platform for its spread where there are no geographical barriers for buying or selling sheep.

The chain of tanneries in Vellore and Ranipet areas of Tamil Nadu bordering the district used to contribute heavily to the spread of this disease earlier which, of course, has reduced now thanks to the efforts taken by that government in carefully disposing of carcasses identified to be anthrax-attacked.

Already, as per animal husbandry records, anthrax has been declared endemic to 36 out of the 66 mandals. It is mainly in the Chittoor-Kuppam belt skirting Karnataka and Puttur- Karvetnagaram-Nagari sector near Tamil Nadu border that the disease has struck a vehement blow.

Veterinarians and officials of animal husbandry department express concern over the lack of awareness among the sheep- rearers or even common men who tear open a carcass for the sake of its skin or meat ending up in contacting the same.

The bacteria `bacillus anthracis' living inside the carcass becomes a deadly spore the moment it comes into contact with oxygen, which lives for around 50 years, meaning that it may lie low now and strike at any moment in another 50 years.

The department has distributed pamphlets to rural people, which contain information on directions and precautions in disposing of a carcass. They are urged to incinerate or bury it in a deep pit and cover it with lime without touching the body as far as possible as its contact with wounds or abrasions on skin itself could prove dangerous.

Pamphlets apart, the department had, an year ago, thought of an innovative way in getting rid of the spread of anthrax. Identifying that the sheep-rearers tear open the carcass only for its meat/ hide, the district animal husbandry department has reportedly sent a proposal to the State to focus on `careful disposal of carcasses' by giving an incentive of Rs.250 - Rs.300 to the sheep-rearers for one disposed carcass, which was, for reasons unknown, shelved at some level.

An AH official feels that as it could not be expected of the rural poor to dispose of the dead animals by meeting the expenses from their own pockets and by all means it would cost them the same what they get as incentive, their proposal was very much viable and could be given a try.

Leave alone animals, even if humans contract the same, it is pathetic that there is not much awareness among the doctors on how to deal with the case as it is not expected to attack homo sapiens. The department had tried a semblance of a solution to this as well. A meeting of medical and veterinary experts was held last year where information on anthrax was exchanged though informally.

Last June, three persons died of consuming meat of an anthrax- affected animal in Karvetinagaram, which was the last human- related case recorded in this district.

Even after burning the animals, the vets who collected bone and soil samples for testing found, to their dismay, that it indeed showed the presence of the spores which itself explains the perilous state of the situation.

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Section  : Southern States
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