More cases of anthrax confirmed in Siberia

Two more people in Russia's Altai Territory have been hospitalized for suspected exposure to anthrax, UPI quoted the territory's deputy governor as saying Tuesday. Deputy Gov. Daniil Bessarabov said so far 13 people have been hospitalized, including three people with confirmed cases of anthrax poisoning, RIA Novosti reported. On Saturday three people from Druzhba village were hospitalized for anthrax infection. Druzhba, with a population of 740, has been quarantined and all residents were examined by doctors, officials said. Mass vaccinations began Monday. One person has died from anthrax poisoning in South Siberia, officials said. Doctors said they also suspect a man from the neighboring village of Marushka contracted anthrax, RIA Novosti said. Those infected 'are people who were living in the same homes as those infected or came into contact with infected animals,' Bessarabov said. Bessarabov said the infection was 'geographically localized. Preventive measures are being carried out not only in the villages of Druzhba and Marushka but much farther afield. We are trying to find out all the people who had contacts with infected animals among residents in other villages.' Officials were collecting and quarantining meat from cattle delivered from the area where the outbreak occurred, RIA Novosti said. In Ukraine, the Health Ministry said 32 people in Voznesensk were at risk of contracting anthrax from tainted cow meat. RIA Novosti said anthrax was fatal in about 40 percent of gastrointestinal infection cases and in about 90 percent of inhalation cases. Contracting anthrax through the skin is deadly in about 20 percent of cases if the victim is treated early.