Residents Hospitalized with Anthrax Are Those Who Slaughtered Animals and Processed Their Meat

Cases of anthrax have been discovered in the village of Isahakyan in the Shirak province. Seven individuals have been transferred to the infectious diseases hospital in Gyumri. In a conversation with NEWS.am, the village's administrative head, Artavazd Arsenyan, stated that on June 30, four men and one woman were admitted to the hospital with symptoms of anthrax, followed by another man and woman the next day, July 1.

The residents who were hospitalized were identified as those who slaughtered animals and processed their meat. "I spoke with them this morning; their condition is normal, and there are no complications. There haven't been any other complaints in the village," Arsenyan said.

In the days leading up to this incident, there were reports of 12 cases of livestock deaths in Isahakyan village, and today another large livestock animal has died. The entire village’s livestock was vaccinated against anthrax yesterday.

"I returned from vacation on June 21, and the veterinarian informed me on June 23 that vaccinations were being carried out and not yet completed. The incident occurred on June 29. I can't say whether it was fully vaccinated or not," the village head noted.

Astghik Beybutyan, the director of the Gyumri infectious diseases hospital, reported that the health condition of the seven infected residents is assessed as moderate severity. "Anthrax sores have appeared on various parts of the bodies of the residents. Their condition is currently stable; they are not running a fever, and after a few days in the hospital, once the wounds heal, they will be discharged. The disease is considered a specially dangerous infection, and it can be transmitted through open wounds, so they will not be discharged until the wounds heal," stated the hospital director.

The Shirak branch of the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention visited Isahakyan village the day before and conducted examinations. The staff of the Gyumri infectious diseases hospital also joined the process.

"Working groups have been formed, which also include efforts from our hospital. They have been conducting house-to-house visits for examinations," added the director of the Gyumri infectious diseases hospital.

Incidentally, the veterinarian of Isahakyan village, Rustam Simonian, has committed suicide. The village head mentioned that the incident occurred yesterday morning, July 1. "He woke up in the morning and took that step. I cannot say what drove him to such an action, as the locals also said they had no information about it," he commented.