Terrorists spreading Anthrax germs in Bangladesh

by Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
September 11, 2010

http://www.weeklyblitz.net/984/terrorists-spreading-anthrax-germs-in-bangladesh

Anthrax is gradually spreading in Bangladesh. In past few weeks, a few thousand animals and humans have already been affected by this lethal disease. It is feared that the disease may take the shape of epidemic in the country, as the government is unable to combat the further spread of the disease due to tremendous shortage of requires medicines and vaccines.

Eight districts have confirmed human and cattle anthrax infections and meat consumption ahead of the Islamic festival of Eid. Health officials in Bangladesh have described the Anthrax outbreak as biggest in country's history. The disease was first detected last month in northwestern Sirajganj district, where 38 villagers reportedly became infected after consuming beef from sickened cows, the news agency reported. It then spread to neighboring districts.

Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals. There are effective vaccines against anthrax, and some forms of the disease respond well to antibiotic treatment.

Like many other members of the genus Bacillus, Bacillus anthracis can form dormant spores that are able to survive in harsh conditions for extremely long periods of time—even decades or centuries. Such spores can be found on all continents, even Antarctica. When spores are inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with a skin lesion on a host they may reactivate and multiply rapidly.

Anthrax commonly infects wild and domesticated herbivorous mammals which ingest or inhale the spores while grazing. Ingestion is thought to be the most common route by which herbivores contract anthrax. Carnivores living in the same environment may become infected by consuming infected animals. Diseased animals can spread anthrax to humans, either by direct contact [e.g. inoculation of infected blood to broken skin] or consumption of a diseased animal's flesh.

Anthrax spores can be produced in vitro and used as a biological weapon. Anthrax does not spread directly from one infected animal or person to another; it is spread by spores. These spores can be transported by clothing or shoes. The dead body of an animal that died of anthrax can also be a source of anthrax spores.

Anthrax can enter the human body through the intestines [ingestion], lungs [inhalation], or skin [cutaneous] and causes distinct clinical symptoms based on its site of entry. An infected human will generally be quarantined. However, anthrax does not usually spread from an infected human to a non-infected human. But if the disease is fatal to the person's body, its mass of anthrax bacilli becomes a potential source of infection to others and special precautions should be used to prevent further contamination. Inhalational anthrax, if left untreated until obvious symptoms occur, may be fatal.

Anthrax can be contracted in laboratory accidents or by handling infected animals or their wool or hides. It has also been used in biological warfare agents and by terrorists to intentionally infect as exemplified by the 2001 anthrax attacks.

According to latest information, more than 35 per cent of meat available in the local market in Bangladesh, which goes to domestic households as well restaurants, is contaminated with Anthrax germ. Some of the posh restaurants in Dhaka are selling local beef in the name of 'California Beef' or 'Texas Beef'. But, Bangladesh Customs confirms the fact that, in past two years, no cow meat was ever imported by anyone in Bangladesh. So, it is understood that, those so-called imported beef is nothing but very much local one, which the shrewd restaurant owners are selling at exorbitant price to the customers with false tag.

While Bangladeshi government is visibly sweating in combating further spread of Anthrax, it may be reminded here that for past few months this government is continuing massive offensives on separatist groups like ULFA [United Liberation Front of Assam] as well as Islamist militancy groups like Lashkar-E-Toiba, Harkat-Ul-Jihad [HuJI], Hizbut Tahrir and Hizbut Towhid. When a few kingpins of ULFA, HuJI and Lashkar-E-Taiba were arrested in Bangladesh, they sent messages with the clear threat of taking retaliations for such actions of the government. It may also be mentioned here that, HuJI and other Islamist militancy groups have direct link with Al Qaeda and it was even reported in local media that, Al Qaeda were already able to penetrate inside Bangladesh.

Counter-terrorism experts fear that, Anthrax germs might have been intentionally put on animals in certain areas in Bangladesh by one or few of the separatist and militancy groups to create a massive headache for the current government in Bangladesh. It is also suspected that the spread of Anthrax might have connection with trial of war criminals in the country, which has already put Islamist group like Jamaat-E-Islami into visible offensives from the government. A number of top ranking Jamaat leaders are already behind the bar and books of spiritual guide of this Islamist group, Moulana Abul Ala Moududi have already been banned in Bangladesh.

© Copyright material of Weekly Blitz

Related Topics:  Bangladesh News receive the latest by email: subscribe to weekly blitz's free mailing list