বাংলা | Epaper

বাংলা E-Paper 📍 Dhaka 📅 Saturday | 10 October 2026, 25 Ashswin 1433 PID registration number 06

HEADLINE

● Recruitment test cancellation: Jobseekers block Nilkhet ● CJP's Abhijeet among 3 top leaders detained from inside aircraft ● CNG driver Sumon raped, strangled schoolgirl Tazmin to death: Police ● YouTuber Dhruv Rathee detained by Delhi Police ● Bangladesh among top 5 countries in Bosnia migration data ● Khalidi's janaza in Banani, to be laid at Mirpur graveyard ● Delhi locked down ahead of protest

Meherpur’s Gangni faces growing anthrax threat

Published : Saturday, 10 October, 2026 at 12:33 PM

Observer Correspondent

Anthrax infections are reportedly increasing in Gangni upazila of Meherpur, with 462 people affected by the disease up to September this year.

The disease, which primarily affects livestock, can spread to humans through contact with infected animals or by handling or consuming contaminated meat. Residents in several villages are reportedly suffering from painful skin lesions, raising concerns over public health and livestock safety.

Anthrax was first detected in Meherpur in 2007 in Kajipur village of Gangni upazila. Since then, the disease has reportedly spread to different areas of the upazila, affecting men, women and children.

According to the report, 55 samples were collected from suspected anthrax patients over the past four months and sent to the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), for testing. Anthrax bacteria were reportedly detected in 45 of the samples. More than 200 livestock are also considered at risk of infection, according to concerns raised by relevant sources.

The report identified border villages in Gangni as areas where anthrax infections are more prevalent. Villages in Bhat, Kajipur, Motmura, Saharbati and Bamundi unions were among the locations reporting infections.

Annual figures attributed to Gangni Upazila Health Complex showed 199 cases in 2013, 203 in 2014, 154 in 2015, 240 in 2016, 281 in 2017, 408 in 2018, 660 in 2019, 378 in 2020, 417 in 2021, 644 in 2022, 793 in 2023, 686 in 2024 and 637 in 2025. The report recorded another 462 cases up to September 2026.

Gangni Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Ariful Islam said, "the area was prone to anthrax and that his department was monitoring the situation and advising residents on preventive measures. He urged people to avoid slaughtering sick animals."

The figures and the status of the reported cases should be verified with the relevant health authorities before publication, as the source material does not clarify whether all annual totals represent laboratory-confirmed human infections.

Also read

2 traders fined in Chandpur defying hilsa fishing ban

48-hour road blockade in Sajek

Bangladeshi shot by BSF along Kushtia border, BGB also fire back

Ctg Kamrul murder: Key accused arrested

Fire schorches Feni market

Mother-in-law, daughter-in-law killed in bus crash

Child drowns in pond

Patuakhali: missing youth’s body recovered beside EPZ

Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], ‍[email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296

🔝