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Solo — Five of 9 citizens of Boyolali district in Central Java who were infected by anthrax several days ago are still in intensive care at Dr. Moewardi General Hospital in Solo.

Public relations of the hospital, Mulyati, on Friday (25/2/2011) said the patients were referred from Pandanarang General Hospital in Boyolali. The patients in general were suffering from quite severe skin anthrax. The suspected source of infection was a sick cow/bull they slaughtered and consumed.

The five patients all came from Dukuh Tangkisan, Karangmojo village, Andong subdistrict, Boyolali district.
“All patients are still close relatives. The patients are Anjariati, Sajidan, Muhadi, Ramelan, and Raminah. They are still under intensive care in the hospital’s special treatment room,” said Mulyati.

In general, all patients are recovering. Lesions on their face, feet, and hands have started to dry out. Movement is not restricted, communication is good, appetite for food and drinking has also improved.

“Examination of three internists concludes that all five patients only suffer from skin anthrax. Recovery is 95 percent for cutaneous anthrax and 5 percent for intestinal and respiratory anthrax,” Mulyati said
Initial suspicion of anthrax was derived from the characteristics of lesions suffered and the animal contact history. It was also strengthened with testing of soil samples from Klego by the Health Service Office of Central Java Province, which resulted positive for Bacillus anthracis.

The incidence started when nine citizens of Dukuh Tangkisan contracted anthrax from a cow/bull. They suffered from skin anthrax which with each passing day continued to swell and spread. A cow/bull which Ramelan purchased from the animal market became sick not long after being bought. In the end, Ramelan decided to slaughter the animal. Some of the meat was cooked for his own consumption while others were given out to his relatives and neighbors.

Two days after, a number of people fell down with headache and high fever, followed by the development of blistering spots on their skin. In some people, the blisters swelled and spread to other parts of the body. (ANT|Ed. Benny N Joewono)

Source : Kompas