Anthrax attacks cattle in Indonesian villages

An anthrax epidemic has been declared in Gowa, Indonesia's South Sulawesi province, with cows in three villages infected with the deadly disease and fears that infected meat has been sold to the public, local press reported Tuesday.

No people in the region has been reported sick with the disease so far, reported The Jakarta Post.

At least three cows have been confirmed infected with anthrax during the last week and two possibly infected cows slaughtered before the disease was detected and their meat sold to the public, said the report.

Farmer Lawonri Daeng Tulung, who owned one of the infected cows, said he was not initially aware his cow was sick.

"I took the cow to pasture. An hour later, however, I was informed by my neighbors that my cow had died," he said.

Local veterinary agency head Roni Mudidgo confirmed anthrax bacteria had been found in an organ sample taken from one of the cattle.

Roni said an anthrax epidemic had been declared in the Gowa regency after two infections were confirmed there earlier.

"Local people have to beware," he said.

He urged the Gowa regency to carry out mass vaccinations of all livestock in the area to prevent the disease from spreading.

Source: Xinhua