12 Anthrax Cases Confirmed in India

The Express News Service today reported 12 cases of anthrax, and one related fatality was recently reported in the villages of Dasmantpur.

Two others were being treated, and nine others are currently stable.

Preliminary examination suggests locals of Tentuliguda village reportedly consumed cow meat, after which they began showing symptoms of anthrax.

The Koraput district of Odisha, India, is an area endemic for anthrax.

Last year, anthrax was confirmed in 36 people in Tengwe in Zimbabwe, after consuming undercooked meat.

According to the U.S. CDC, cutaneous anthrax in humans is associated with exposure to infected animals or animal products and has a case fatality rate of up to 20% if untreated.

People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. Anthrax can cause severe illness in both humans and animals. 

The Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA) protects against anthrax and does not contain any anthrax bacteria and cannot give people anthrax.

It is not typically available to the general public, says the CDC. 

The Food and Drug Administration approved the vaccine for routine occupational use (before possible exposure) and post-event emergencies.

In the U.S., Emergent BioSolutions Inc.'s AV7909 (AVA) vaccine has been funded partly by the government for several years and is approaching authorization.