At least twelve people have fallen ill in Gurudaspur, Natore, after consuming the meat of a diseased cow. Among them, three individuals are reported to be in a serious condition and were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital on Thursday. Victims have developed pustule-like swellings across various parts of their bodies, raising concerns over a potential anthrax outbreak.
According to local sources, the incident originated in Cholonali village of Dharabarisha Union when a cow owned by Abdul Gafur suddenly became ill, showing symptoms such as abdominal swelling and lethargy about a week ago. Despite the animal’s condition, several villagers proceeded to slaughter the cow and distribute its meat among themselves. Within days of handling, cooking, or consuming the meat, several people began experiencing severe health issues, prompting visits to local health facilities.
The Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, ASM Alomaz Ali, confirmed, “Six patients from Cholonali village sought treatment at our facilities. Three of them were referred to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital for advanced care. While laboratory testing is ongoing to confirm the exact nature of the illness, preliminary assessments suggest that the victims may have contracted anthrax, potentially through contact with or consumption of infected meat.”
The Upazila Livestock Officer, Md. Rokonuzzaman, added that authorities had not been informed prior to the cow’s slaughter. “Initial assessments point to anthrax as the probable cause. Remaining meat from the animal, which had been preserved, was safely buried under the supervision of livestock department officials to prevent further spread. We urge villagers to immediately notify authorities if any livestock show signs of illness, rather than slaughtering animals secretly,” he said.
Md. Rokonuzzaman further noted that around 25,000 cattle in the Upazila received anthrax vaccinations last year. Following the recent incident, vaccination efforts in Cholonali village have been intensified, with approximately 2,000 cattle already inoculated to curb the potential spread of the disease.
The following table summarises the incident and response efforts:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Cholonali village, Dharabarisha Union, Gurudaspur, Natore |
| Number of affected individuals | 12 |
| Number of serious cases | 3 (admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital) |
| Probable cause | Exposure to anthrax through infected cow meat |
| Livestock vaccination | 25,000 vaccinated last year; 2,000 vaccinated following the incident |
| Meat disposal | Remaining meat buried under livestock department supervision |
| Health advisory | Villagers urged to report sick animals instead of secret slaughter |
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasising the importance of vaccination, prompt reporting of sick livestock, and safe handling of animal products. Public health officials are also conducting follow-up checks to ensure no further cases arise in the affected communities.