 |
Kathmandu Wednesday November 07, 2001 Kartik 22, 2058.
|
Timely treatment can cure
anthrax infection
KATHMANDU, Nov 6 (RSS) - If treatment is
provided right at the initial stage, one can survive anthrax infection, according to the
Epidemiology and Disease Prevention Division of the Health Ministry.
"Anthrax is found mostly in sheep, hill
goats, dogs, cats and wild animals and these animals infect human beings", says
Director of the Division Dr. Mahendra Bahadur Bista.
Anthrax, which was widespread in Southern Europe
in the 18th and 19th centuries affected l00 people world-wide in 1958. Two thousand cases
were found at Midanpur of Mysore in 1999 and it has claimed some lives recently also.
Anthrax germs enter the human body through
respiration or any skin injury and infection could prove fatal if not treated in time.
Anthrax is of three types and can infect the skin, the respiratory system and the stomach.
After the germs enter the human body from
contaminated raw meat, wool, skin or hair through the skin, injuries or respiration, the
person suffers from fever, pus accumulates in the skin and tissues get swollen. Symptoms
like that of cold and cough appear, it becomes difficult to breath, and there is vomiting,
stomach pain, blood vomiting, thorax pain, traces of blood in excreta, neck pain and
difficulty in swallowing.
Animals in Nepal are vaccinated against the
disease, and the vaccines are available. People working in animal husbandry, at
laboratories and at wool and leather industries are vulnerable and are vaccinated. Though
the risk of natural infection is low, there have been anthrax cases all around the world.
"It has become necessary for Nepal also to take preventive measures", according
to Dr. Bista.
"Against the background of anthrax spores
being misused as a biological weapon through letters in the mail and considering the
possibility of this happening in Nepal also, HMG has already issued circulars on treatment
and for publicity. But nowhere in Nepal has an anthrax case been seen", he said.
The disease is completely curable if treatment
in time and drugs are available. Therefore there is no need for apprehension, it is
learnt.
Other Stories
|
