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Anthrax has been confirmed in three people in Pirgachha upazila of Rangpur after samples from 11 suspected patients were tested, officials said on Friday.
The affected individuals were identified as Sajib Mia, 23, Abdul Mannan, 60, and Mst Swapna Begum, 45, all residents of Adampur village under Chaola Union.
Rangpur District Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Firoz Khan said an IEDCR team collected samples from 11 people showing suspected symptoms on September 5. Laboratory tests later confirmed anthrax in three of them, while the remaining eight tested negative.
All three confirmed patients are currently in stable condition, officials said.
According to the Pirgachha Upazila Livestock Office, Sajib Mia had purchased a cow several months earlier. The animal fell ill on August 21 and was subsequently slaughtered without notifying the authorities. Its meat was then distributed and sold locally, officials said.
Eleven people reportedly developed symptoms after handling or consuming meat from the cow. Some developed blisters on their hands, a symptom associated with cutaneous anthrax.
Pirgachha Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Md Shakil Ahmed said authorities learned about the slaughter and sale of meat from the sick cow 10–15 days later. He and senior officials subsequently visited the area and monitored the situation.
“No other cattle in the area were found to be infected with anthrax,” he said.
He added that cattle in the area had been brought under vaccination coverage as a preventive measure. Most patients’ wounds have dried up, while authorities remain vigilant to prevent the slaughter or sale of meat from sick animals.
Dr Firoz Khan said health authorities were continuing to monitor the situation following confirmation of the three cases.