Four People Treated for Anthrax in Indonesia
Authorities say contaminated meat could be the source of Makassar
outbreak
Email Article Print Article Lily Yulianti (myfawwaz)
Amid the fear of the bird flu epidemic, a local clinic in Indonesia
reported four patients suspected of having anthrax in Makassar, the
capital city of South Sulawesi Province, eastern Indonesia, Nov. 15.

The local government ordered preventive measures in order to prevent
further spread of the disease, although there is no report of human to
human (communicable) infections so far.

The four patients have been treated in the local clinic based on the
standard procedures for anthrax infection. Two of the patients work in
a local animal slaughtering center, and two other patients are living
in the same neighborhood with them. The mayor of Makassar, Ilham Arief
Sirajuddin has ordered all animals slaughtered near the center of the
city to stop sending meats to other regions until authorities confirm
the safety of meat.

As the intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of
contaminated meat, local authorities urged examination of all meats in
the processing center.

"Food safety is a sensitive issue. We have experienced the drop of
chicken meat sales in recent months due to bird flu, and the similar
trend might occur for meat sales due to anthrax-phobia. We need to act
properly and providing correct information to people," the mayor
explained.

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming
bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax most commonly occurs in wild and
domestic hoofed animals (cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes and
other herbivores), but it can also occur in humans when they are
exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals. Some 20
percent of untreated cases might result in death.

The four patients suffered from fever, skin inflammation and
irritation, and also have itchy bumps on their face and arms. The local
clinic stated that it is closely watching the condition of the patients
and has been working with the authorities to investigate the possible
source of infections.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture explained that it already urged
the anthrax-prone regions across the country to provide vaccinations
three months ago.

2005-11-16 16:20
=A92005 OhmyNew

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