Beijing: China’s northeast Liaoning Province reported at least two more cutaneous anthrax infections bringing the total number of people, who were hospitalised for the disease to 32, health authorities said on Tuesday.
Two cases were found yesterday in Donggang City, where the disease was first reported, the Liaoning Provincial Health Department release a statement confirming the report.
Health experts noted that all the cases originated from the same source. As of yesterday, four cases have been confirmed, while 28 others are still being investigated, official news
agency reported.
An initial investigation by local health authorities showed that the patients contracted the disease after direct contact with diseased cattle.
The government of Liaoning has since either killed or disinfected more than 400 heads of cattle in the province and carried out a survey among over 20,000 people.
Cutaneous anthrax is an infection of the skin caused by direct contact with infected animals or animal products. It is rarely fatal if treated.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, August 16, 2011, 13:22