Koraput: Three people were killed and over 20 others affected by a disease termed by local officials as "anthrax" in Lamtaput block of Koraput district over the last 15 days.

No institute of repute has, so far, confirmed outbreak of anthrax in the area.

The deaths occurred in a private hospital at Lamtaput, where the victims had been admitted for treatment.

The sources said the block development officer of Lamtaput Susanta Nayak had reported that Laxman Muduli (29) of Patraput village, Nanda Kirsani (32) of Terraguda village and Mula Marja (35) of Mahadeiput village died after they had been admitted to hospital.

The health authorities had rushed medical teams to the area to contain the spread of the disease.

The outbreak had been reported from Dhadi, K Maliput, Charaguda, Kangrapad, Solipada, Mahadeiput, Chopadi and Andipoda villages, the sources said.

PTI