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Saturday | September 26, 2026 | Dhaka

Anthrax cases rise in Gaibandha, 53 infected

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:01 AM, 26 September 2026

Sundarganj in Gaibandha has emerged as a major anthrax hotspot in the Rangpur region, with dozens of people developing symptoms after coming into contact with or consuming meat from infected cattle.

At least 53 people in Gaibandha, Rangpur and Dinajpur received treatment for suspected anthrax infections over the past month, according to health officials and recent reports. Of them, 37 people-19 women, 14 men and four children-were treated at Sundarganj Upazila Health Complex as of September 24.

Officials said the recent infections in Sundarganj were linked to cattle raised in Sundarganj and neighbouring Pirgachha upazila of Rangpur.

The latest cluster began after a sick cow was slaughtered in Bachhati village under Sabarnanda union on September 9.

Meat from the animal was distributed among around 100 families, after which people in the area began developing symptoms.

Cases were subsequently reported in five unions of Sundarganj-Sabarnanda, Tarapur, Kanchibari, Sonaray and Ramjiban.

Earlier this month, six people in Kanchibari also developed symptoms after consuming meat from another sick cow.

Laboratory testing has provided further evidence of anthrax transmission. Two meat samples collected from the sick cow in Bachhati were sent to a central laboratory on September 21, and anthrax bacteria were detected in both samples, according to the local livestock office.

The Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) has sent a team to Sundarganj to investigate the outbreak, assess its extent and identify possible routes of transmission. Researchers from IEDCR and icddr,b are also collecting information and samples in the affected areas.

The situation has raised concern beyond Gaibandha. In Rangpur district, 13 people had been diagnosed with anthrax, while three members of a family in Dinajpur recovered after testing positive following consumption of meat from a home-reared cow in Pirgachha.

IEDCR Director Dr Quazi Ahmed Zaki said anthrax has long existed in northern Bangladesh, while the recent infections in Sundarganj indicate that Rangpur may be developing into a new cluster.

Livestock authorities have meanwhile continued vaccination and awareness campaigns in the affected areas. Cattle within a three-kilometre radius of affected locations are also being vaccinated as part of efforts to contain the outbreak.