A mysterious disease has broken out in Pirgacha Upazila of Rangpur, leaving over 200 people infected and triggering widespread panic.
Locals report that the outbreak began after livestock fell ill and subsequently died.
Despite weeks of mounting cases, both the health and livestock departments have failed to act visibly, often blaming each other for the inaction.
Thousands in Pirgacha now live in fear as patients develop painful skin lesions.
The symptoms initially appear as rashes, which then progress into large sores and, eventually, deep wounds, according to the locals.
Local health workers shared that the symptoms resemble anthrax, a serious bacterial infection often transmitted from animals to humans.
Civil Surgeon of Rangpur, Dr Shahin Sultana, said she was unaware of the outbreak.
"If such cases exist, the livestock department should first act. Once our field staff report back, we can form a medical team," she said.
A field visit to Pirgacha revealed the scale of the crisis. Nearly every union, including Sadar, Tambulpur, Chawla, Parul and Itakumari, reported similar cases.
The worst-affected areas are Sadar, Chawla and Tambulpur unions.
Sabina Akhter of Anantarampur village described how her livestock fell ill earlier this month.
"One by one, my cows and goats developed high fevers and died within days. While caring for them, I suddenly noticed rashes on my hands. Within two days, they turned into painful sores," she told UNB.
Sabina is among more than 200 confirmed patients, all of whom had either handled sick animals or processed their meat.
Infected villagers say the outbreak has persisted for at least six weeks. Many livestock die within 24 hours of showing symptoms. Without veterinary intervention, farmers are selling off sick animals at throwaway prices, which has further spread the infection.
Fifty-year-old Zaheda Begum recalled how a small itch on her finger escalated into a rotting wound. "The skin turned black and now the pain is unbearable. Another finger has started showing the same signs," she said tearfully.
Farmer Azizul Haque, from Chawla union, explained, "We care for sick animals, and when they get worse, some villagers slaughter them. People who touch or cook the meat later fall sick themselves."
Anthrax Suspected
At Pirgacha Upazila Health Complex, medical officer Dr Aakhi Sarkar said five to seven new patients arrive daily with identical symptoms. "Often, entire families are affected. Though we have not yet tested samples, the clinical features resemble anthrax," she said.
Despite this, no mass awareness campaign, medical team, or livestock vaccination drive has been rolled out.
Locals allege that the livestock office has remained largely silent.
"Most of the time, officials are absent. Farmers get no advice or medicine. Sick animals die without treatment, and the infection spreads to humans," said one villager.
Dismissing the allegations, District Livestock Officer Dr Md Abu Sayeed claimed the illness is genetic. "The health department should have identified it earlier and informed authorities. Our immediate task is to confirm the cause scientifically," he said.
Epidemic Risk
Belal Hossain, president of the Public Health Rights Movement, expressed concern over the matter. "People have been falling ill for weeks, yet no agency has acted. If the disease is truly anthrax and it is not swiftly contained, it could spread across the country as an epidemic," he warned.
Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Rabiul Faisal said he has been in touch with the health department and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer and instructed them to monitor the situation.
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