Act before anthrax spreads further

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

Health authorities in northern Bangladesh are addressing an anthrax outbreak linked to cattle slaughter in Gaibandha and Rangpur districts, which has sickened at least 53 people in recent weeks. Low vaccination rates among livestock and unused vaccine supplies have raised concerns about containment efforts, prompting calls for expanded immunization and better coordination to prevent further spread.

Health authorities in northern Bangladesh are confronting an ongoing anthrax outbreak that has affected dozens of people and an unknown number of animals in recent weeks. Reports indicate that at least 53 individuals have sought treatment for symptoms associated with the disease over the past month, with 16 patients already having made full recoveries.

The current wave of anthrax cases appears to trace back to cattle raised in Gaibandha’s Sundarganj upazila and the neighboring Pirgacha upazila of Rangpur district. The outbreak reportedly began after a sick cow was slaughtered on September 9, with its meat distributed among approximately 100 families. This incident has raised concerns about preventive measures, especially as similar outbreaks were documented in the same region around the same time last year.

Sundarganj upazila, home to approximately 254,000 cattle, received vaccinations for only around 19,000 animals last year following the previous local outbreak. This vaccine coverage amounted to roughly 7.5 percent of the local cattle population, significantly lower than the 100 percent vaccination rate mandated within a three-kilometer radius of affected zones under official guidelines. Experts warn that focusing solely on cattle may be insufficient to prevent the disease’s spread, as anthrax can also infect goats, sheep, and buffaloes.

Local livestock officials reported that about 11,000 anthrax vaccine doses remain unused in stock, and a request has been made for an additional 15,000 doses—numbers that fall short of the apparent need. Questions have been raised over why available vaccines have not been fully utilized amid the escalating infections and why the requested quantities do not reflect the outbreak’s scale. Calls have been made for relevant authorities to investigate possible shortcomings in the response effort.

The local administration has initiated awareness campaigns targeting high-risk areas, encouraging residents to remain vigilant. Health experts emphasize the importance of expanding these efforts and stepping up vaccination coverage to curb further transmission. They have also advised caution against indiscriminate culling of livestock, noting that anthrax can be effectively treated in animals at an early stage with timely administration of antibiotics. Should culling be deemed necessary, it must be conducted carefully to prevent the disease from spreading through contaminated blood or grazing exposure.

Officials and local stakeholders continue to monitor the situation as it develops, underscoring the need for a coordinated and comprehensive approach to prevent further human and animal infections in the region.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.