Anthrax

News:Recently,Veterinarians have confirmed anthrax as the cause of death of two Asiatic water buffaloes in central Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.

Facts:

About Anthrax:

• Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
• The bacteria live in soil and usually infects wild and domestic animals such as goats,cattle and sheep.
• However,humans,pigs and dogs are comparatively less susceptible and only get infected if exposed to copious amounts of spores.
• Anthrax responds well to antibiotic treatment but vaccines are necessary as the infection can cause death within two-three days leaving no scope for diagnosis and treatment.
• Anthrax does not spread directly from one infected animal or person to another as it spread by spores.These spores can be transported by clothing or shoes.
• In 2001,these spores were used as agents of bio-terrorism when letters containing anthrax spores were sent to some people in America leading to widespread panic.

Additional information:

About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the floodplains of River Brahmaputra in the district of Morigaon and about 45 kms from Guwahati,the capital of Assam,India.
• It harbors the highest density of Rhino in the world and the second highest concentration of Rhino in Assam after Kaziranga National Park.
• Besides rhinoceros, the other mammals found are Leopard, Leopard cat, Fishing cat, Jungle cat, Feral Buffalo, Wild pigs, Chinese pangolins among others.

Other National Parks in Assam:

• Dibru-Saikhowa National Park,
• Kaziranga National Park,
• Manas National Park,
• Nameri National Park,
• Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.