Andhra Pradesh: Suspected anthrax outbreak reported in Alluri Sitarama Raju district

VISAKHAPATNAM: Seven children fell ill due to suspected anthrax infection at Doraguda village under Laxmipuram Panchayat of Munchingiput Mandal in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district.The tribals of the remote village, which is located along the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB), had consumed the meat of dead cattle about 10 days ago. Later, seven children of the village showed symptoms of the disease.A few days ago, the staff of the primary health centre (PHC), Labburu identified the suspected symptoms of anthrax in the children during the medical camp held at weekly shandy Laxmipuram.On being informed, additional district medical and health officer Dr Leela Prasad and a few others visited the affected village by trekking the hilly terrain to take stock of the situation."We have observed that the seven children (all below 10 years of age group) have the symptoms of anthrax. The condition of the children is stable. We have collected the samples and sent them to KG Hospital in Vizag city. We have administered prophylactic doses of antibiotics to all the villagers. The health staff will do the follow-up for seven more days in the village," Leela Prasad added.