Bogor out to stop anthrax threat<\/p>\n
Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post, Bogor<\/p>\n
Amid rising concerns over the spread of anthrax in the region,
\nthe Bogor Health and the Bogor Husbandry Agencies will increase
\nmonitoring by coordinating with community health centers
\n(Puskesmas) and integrated health service posts (Posyandu), an
\nofficial of the Bogor Health Agency told The Jakarta Post on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
\"Their roles will be monitoring their respective areas to
\ndetect a possible anthrax outbreak,\" the head of prevention and
\neradication of infectious diseases and community health of the
\nHealth Agency, Eulis Wulantari, said.<\/p>\n
She said that her office had found an anthrax case in October
\nfrom Babakan Madang district and that the person had since
\nrecovered.<\/p>\n
Fears of anthrax infection in humans have been high following
\nthe deaths of at least 20 head of cattle and water buffaloes in
\nMakassar, South Sulawesi, recently. After taking blood samples of
\npeople with high exposure to cattle, four cases were confirmed.<\/p>\n
West Java -- along with other livestock breeding areas such as
\nEast Java and East Nusa Tenggara -- has long dealt with anthrax
\ninfection in animals, but has never reached epidemic proportions
\nuntil last year when six people died in Babakan Madang district,
\nBogor regency after they consumed goat meat infected with
\nanthrax.<\/p>\n
Eulis said that there were at least nine endemic locations for
\nanthrax in the Bogor regency including the Babakan Madang,
\nCibinong, Citeurep, Kelapa Nunggal, Tajur Halang, Sukaraja,
\nJonggol, Sukamulya and Cilengsi districts.<\/p>\n
\"Human anthrax infection has also occurred in four districts,
\nnamely Babakan Madang, Cibinong, Sukaraja and Citeurep,\" Eulis
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease that typically affects
\nlivestock, but can be transmitted to humans either through
\nhandling or eating infected meat that is undercooked. Anthrax
\nspores can also be inhaled and it is usually fatal.<\/p>\n
Eulis said that anthrax infection usually happens at the start
\nof the rainy season when grass turns green and anthrax spores
\nthrive and are eaten by livestock.<\/p>\n
Separately, the Bogor Husbandry Agency's prevention and
\neradication of animal diseases head Tinnie Mulyawati said that
\nthe Bogor Husbandry and Fisheries Agency has vaccinated some
\n30,000 livestock in Citaringgul village in Babakan Madang.<\/p>\n
The agency has also disseminated information about the disease
\nthrough posters and brochures warning people about the dangers of
\nthe disease.<\/p>\n
\"We urge breeders in Bogor to immediately report to us or
\nrelated institutions if they find symptoms of anthrax in sick
\nlivestock,\" Tinnie said.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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