District Representative , Rangpur
Published: 02 October 2025 :
After Pirgachha Upazila of Rangpur, anthrax has been detected in the bodies of two people in Kaunia and one in Mithapukur Upazila. With this, 11 anthrax infected patients have been identified in the three upazilas of the district so far. In addition, 2 people have died with anthrax symptoms in Pirgachha. This is increasing panic among everyone. However, the health department says there is no need to panic. If you just get timely treatment, you will get better.
Rangpur Civil Surgeon Dr. Shaheen Sultana confirmed this information on Thursday (October 2) morning. Earlier, anthrax was detected in the bodies of eight people in Pirgachha upazila.
According to the District Civil Surgeon, two people died with symptoms of anthrax in Pirgachha, Rangpur in July and September. At that time, fifty people in four unions of the upazila were infected with anthrax. However, according to the doctor, "the two people who died had anthrax germs in their bodies; but the cause of death was not anthrax." When news of this was reported in various media outlets, the Health Department and the Livestock Department were shaken. Later, a delegation from the IEDCR collected samples of 12 men and women with symptoms of anthrax from Pirgachha Sadar and Parul Union on September 13 and 14, of which eight were diagnosed with anthrax. At that time, the Livestock Department identified anthrax by testing samples of sick beef from the scene.
Meanwhile, on September 15, a cow belonging to Ibrahim Mia of Amaipur village in Imadpur union of Mithapukur upazila of Rangpur fell ill. Later, when the sick cow was slaughtered, the people around cut up the meat. Two days after the incident, four locals, Sohrab Hossain, Abdur Razzak, Monir Hossain, Mojibur Rahman and some others, fell ill with skin disease, and panic spread when the matter became known. Later, when samples collected from their bodies were sent to IEDCR for testing, one of them was identified as having anthrax.
On the other hand, panic is increasing among the people as 11 anthrax infected patients have been identified in three upazilas of Rangpur district. Moreover, the panic has increased further as 2 people died with anthrax symptoms in Pirgachha. Due to which they are afraid to eat beef and goat meat. Whenever any rash appears on the body, they are reminded to consult a doctor.
However, the health department says there is no need to panic about anthrax. It will get better if you get treatment on time. Even then, we have to be aware of this issue.
In this regard, Medical Officer (Disease Control) of Mithapukur Upazila Health Complex MA Halim Lablu said, those infected in Imadpur were infected by coming into contact with the mucus, saliva, blood, meat, bones and intestines of sick cattle infected with anthrax. However, so that the infected do not face any social humiliation, their names are not being published. We are working to raise awareness on this issue. In addition, the Livestock Department has been asked to bring all cattle under vaccination.
Rangpur District Livestock Officer Abu Said said that 165,000 cattle have been vaccinated against anthrax in Pirgachha, Kaunia, Mithapukur and Rangpur Sadar of the district. There is no reason to panic. No new cases of anthrax have been detected in cattle after the vaccination program. We are conducting this vaccination program in all upazilas of the district in phases. In addition, the Livestock Department is already conducting awareness programs at various places including mosques, temples, markets and markets.
Rangpur Civil Surgeon Dr. Shaheen Sultana said that steps have been taken to prevent anthrax from increasing in Mithapukur and Kaunia upazilas like Pirgachha. In addition, the Livestock Department has been asked to bring all cattle under vaccination. Along with this, awareness is being raised so that no one can slaughter any sick cattle without the advice of a doctor.
It is worth noting that in June, July and September, about 200 cows died of anthrax in Pirgachha Upazila. At the same time, two people died with symptoms of anthrax. At least 50 people in four unions in the upazila fell ill with symptoms of anthrax. Among them, the expert team of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has identified 8 anthrax infected patients in Pirgachha Upazila.
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