The Number of Patients Infected with Anthrax Reaches 10

The number of patients infected with anthrax in the village of Isahakyan, Shirak province, has reached 10, SHANTNEWS reports.

Recall that on June 30 and July 1, seven residents of the village were admitted to the Gyumri Infectious Diseases Hospital with a preliminary diagnosis of anthrax. Additionally, three more patients were hospitalized on July 4 and 8 with the same diagnosis. These patients are women who purchased and processed meat from an infected animal. Doctors assess their condition as more severe compared to previous hospitalized patients, as the women engaged in self-treatment and sought medical help rather late.

“The patients’ condition is assessed as moderately severe. They purchased the meat from a fellow villager and contracted the infection during processing. The outbreak is the same. The sores are located on the upper extremities, specifically on the fingers. They are quite deep wounds. Their condition is more serious compared to the previously hospitalized patients because they sought help late, concealed their wounds, and attempted self-treatment. If they had sought help sooner, they would have received easier and faster treatment. One should not engage in self-treatment. Anthrax does not heal on its own; specific inpatient treatment is necessary. If they do not seek help, they will present with more complicated cases later. Furthermore, they can infect their family members since it is a disease transmitted through contact,” said Astghik Beybutyan, director of the Gyumri Infectious Diseases Hospital.

Following the deaths of animals in the village, epidemiologists have organized house-to-house visits, during which infected animal meat and instances of transmission from animals to humans were identified. It is worth noting that in the village of Isahakyan, more than ten cases of deaths of large and small ruminants have been recorded due to anthrax.

Two of the patients have already been discharged from the hospital. All residents of Isahakyan village who have consumed meat from infected animals are under observation.