The Department of Animal Husbandry has intensified anti-anthrax immunisation measures at Thiriyalam and other villages in the Jolarpet block after a person died in the Christian Medical College Hospital here on Wednesday, a week after admission for grave sickness brought on by the consumption of the meat of a sick goat slaughtered by its owner.
While the hospital diagnosed his disease as human anthrax, the Department did not find evidence of the goat or any other animal in the area having been infected with anthrax, said T. Manoharan, Regional Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry.
Dr. Manoharan told The Hindu that the goat belonging to Vijayan, a farmer of Thiriyalam, was treated at the veterinary dispensary in the village for indigestion. When its condition turned critical, the owner slaughtered the animal. Many persons consumed the meat.
Chinnasami, son of Vali alias Samikkannu of Pudupet near Tirupattur, aged between 25 and 30, fell sick after he consumed the brain part of the animal in a raw condition. He was admitted to the local primary health centre, from where he was referred to the CMC Hospital on May 28.
The Deputy Director of Animal Husbandry said personnel of the Animal Disease Intelligence Unit and the Public Health Department conducted a spot survey in the village, but they could not find any evidence of anthrax. The Vellore Collector was informed.
All heads of cattle at Thiriyalam and surrounding villages were immunised against anthrax in a drive which commenced on Monday. “The Department has increased the number of teams and decided to immunise the cattle, goats and sheep not only at Thiriyalam but in all villages within a 10-km radius.
