PARACHINAR: Anthrax outbreak has killed dozens of cows during the last few days in Karman area of the Kurram tribal district, triggering fear among the local residents.

Talking to mediapersons here on Wednesday, elders of the area said that the virus killed the cows within a short span of time.

The elders demanded of the government to take necessary steps to eradicate the disease forthwith. If not controlled in time, spread of the deadly disease to the adjacent areas cannot be ruled out, they feared.

When contacted, senior veterinary officer Mazhar Ali confirmed to Dawn the outbreak of anthrax virus in the area. “We have vaccinated cattle against anthrax in Karman area and have sent the blood samples of the affected cattle to Peshawar for laboratory test,” he said, adding that a few years ago the virus had attacked central Kurram, but was successfully contained later.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2019