Suspected anthrax outbreak reported in northern Chinese village
- All patients are from one community in Shanxi province and involved in the beef trade, state broadcaster reports
- Provincial authorities step up livestock inspections to stop spread
At least nine people in northern China are believed to have contracted anthrax, a disease found in domestic and wild animals, according to state media.
Citing health authorities in the province of Shanxi, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Sunday that nine residents of Baoxian village in Wenshui county were hospitalised last week with anthrax symptoms.
Four of the patients were taken to the provincial capital of Taiyuan for treatment and two have since been discharged.
The five other patients were being treated in the village hospital, according to CCTV’s report.
All of the patients were involved in the cattle industry, from breeding, to slaughter and beef sales, the report said.
Blisters on their limbs had ulcerated and their lymph nodes were infected and swollen.