While four tribals of Jambuguda village under Kashipur block in Rayagada district have died of anthrax after consuming beef within a week, 10 more tribals of the village, suffering from the disease, have been admitted to the District Headquarters Hospital where their conditions are stated to be critical.
Talking to TV channel, Parshu Majhi of Jambuguda village said some people of the village had consumed the meat of a dead cow about 15-20 days ago. “Two persons died within three days while two more died after another two days.”
Another villager, Arun Majhi, said he, along with some villagers, had consumed the meat of a cow, which had died of some unknown disease two weeks ago.
“After a week, we fell ill. Within the next week, four villagers died in quick succession. I am also feeling uncomfortable. I have a feeling that a portion of my hand is paralysed,” he said.
He said following the deaths, a team of doctors from the Kashipur Community Health Centre (CHC) had visited the village and provided medicines to the patients.
Kashipur CHC, in-charge Dr Shantibhusan Pathi confirmed the death of the four tribals and said three more patients were found afflicted by anthrax and shifted to the district hospital.
“Generally, people suffer from anthrax if they consume the meat of an animal which is affected by the anthrax disease,” he added.
While admitting that the situation in the village is critical, Pathi said efforts are on to bring the situation under control.