Date:28/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/28/stories/2008022853980600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Anthrax due to leather industry in T.N.: A.P.

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government has confirmed prevalence of anthrax in Chittoor, Prakasam, Kurnool and Mahabubnagar districts and attributed its outbreak in the State to the leather industry thriving in Tamil Nadu close to the common border.

Replying to a question tabled by G. Muddukrishnama Naidu (Congress), Animal Husbandry Minister M. Buddha Prasad informed the Assembly on Wednesday that disease broke out among sheep at Jandlapeta in Karvetinagar area of Chittoor Municipality close to the Tamil Nadu border. Five sheep and four cattle perished last month as a result. The incidence of the disease was also reported in Prakasam district in December and some ‘sporadic cases’ in Kurnool and Mahabubnagar districts. It killed 12 sheep in the three districts. The Minister said all susceptible animals were vaccinated with live spore anthrax vaccine within 5 km radius from the site of the outbreak. The vaccine dose would be repeated to these animals every nine months for three years.

Awareness

As the disease is related to animals (zoonotic), a campaign was launched to create awareness among farmers on symptoms of the disease, steps to prevent it, proper disposal of carcasses. Mr. Naidu contended that the disease that normally spread from Ranipet in Tamil Nadu, was also found in Kadapa and Anantapur districts.