DHAKA: The current anthrax situation would be brought under control within a fortnight, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr Captain (Retd) Mujibur Rahman Fakir said Wednesday, as the cattle-borne scourge created panic among the commoners and crippled beef trade.

“We are monitoring the situation round the clock. The number of infected people is decreasing and only four people contracted the disease in the last 24 hours. We hope that the situation will come under control within two weeks,” he said at a seminar here.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) organized the seminar on “Anthrax: Public Health Issue’ at its auditorium with Vice-chancellor Pran Gopal Dutta in the chair.

Dr. Salahuddin Khan, an expert at ICDDR,B, Be-Nazir Ahmed, Chief Scientific Officer of IIDCR, and BSMMU Professor Abdul Jalil Chowdhury demonstrated three Power Point presentations on the anthrax situation.

Mujibur Rahman informed that Health, LGRD, and Fisheries and Livestock Ministries are jointly working to combat the disease.

“We took decision in an inter-ministerial meeting Tuesday to launch mass vaccination programme in the affected areas and everyone in these areas have to take health certificate of cattle-heads before slaughtering,” said the military physician-turned minister.

Besides, the Indian cattle-heads which would be brought into the country from across the border will be under observation on quarantine for a week after conducting health test at 22 entry points, he added.

He also informed that a total of 589 people had been infected with anthrax in 22 upazilas of 12 districts till Wednesday.

Be-Nazir Ahmed said about 95 percent people are being infected through slaughtering and affected cattle and being present during the time of meat processing.

Experts also said the germs could be killed through cooking the meat in 100 degrees Celsius temperature for 15 minuets. Boiled and pasteurized milk is also safe for drinking.

BDST: 1508 HRS, SEPT 22, 2010