Nine more people have been detected with anthrax in Pirgacha upazila of Rangpur district, escalating fear among locals and raising concerns within the health department.

Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Masud Rana came up with the information on Wednesday.

Those who were detected with anthrax were identified as Ashura Begum 65, Robiul Islam 55, Shahin Mia, 23, Sharif Mia, 22, Khasa Mia, 52, Rowhabul Mia, 32 of Cheragpur and Shilpi, 28, Mamun, 16, and Khorshed Islam, 25 of Dwariapur village under Ramnathpur Union.

However, authorities have already issued strict instructions against slaughtering cattle without proper veterinary checks.

Local sources said that on October 4, Sadek Ali, son of Shamsher Ali from Cheragpur village, slaughtered a sick cow and distributed the meat among 18 families.

Later, on October 11, another villager, Tutul Mia of Dwariapur, also slaughtered a sick cow and shared the meat with neighbours.

Health officials believe the affected individuals may have contracted anthrax either by consuming the meat or coming into contact with it during cutting or handling.

Three of the suspected patients—Shilpi, Mamun, and Khorshed—reported developing sores on their skin shortly after the slaughter.

Instead of seeking treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital, they consulted doctors at the local health complex and returned home.

According to data from the Rangpur Civil Surgeon’s Office, until Monday, a total of 78 suspected anthrax patients had been identified in the district.

Of them 38 were detected in Pirgachha upazila, 18 in Kaunia, 12 in Mithapukur, seven in Gangachara and one in Pirganj upazila.

Samples have been collected from 24 individuals so far, though the nine newly suspected cases in Pirganj have not yet been included in this tally.

Dr Shahin Sultana, Rangpur’s Civil Surgeon, said that so far, 11 confirmed anthrax cases have been recorded in the district.

However, the number of suspected cases is significantly higher.

“If there are no open sores on the body, it becomes difficult to collect samples and confirm the diagnosis,” she explained.

Anthrax: BAU team recommends quarantine, safe carcass disposal

Earlier, in July and September, two people with anthrax-like symptoms died in Pirgachha upazila.

Several other patients were later identified in neighbouring Gaibandha district.

On October 4, Rozina Begum, 45 of Sundarganj in Gaibandha died at Rangpur Medical College Hospital with anthrax symptoms.

Local civil society representatives have urged health authorities to intensify monitoring and prevention measures to curb further spread of the disease.