Koraput: The disease that has claimed three lives in Lamtaput block of Koraput district during the last fortnight has been confirmed as anthrax, according to a private hospital where the patients were treated.

Specimen of the skin lesion found on the patients had been sent to the Christian Medical College (CMC) at Vellore who had confirmed it as anthrax, Dr Manoj Jacob, the treating physician at Asha Kiran hospital at Lamtaput said.

"The lesions were typical of anthrax and we sent it to CMC for confirmation", he said.

Jacob said that the hospital, which had a tie up with CMC, had not received such patients of late except one who came on June 23. "We are treating him for anthrax", he said.

He said that the people got the infection on the skin while peeling dead cattle and the lesions, if not treated, led to septicaemia which was fatal.

Anthrax could develop in the intestine or lungs if rotten cattle flesh was eaten without proper cooking, Jacob said.

Describing the disease as highly infectious, he said that a patient chose to go to the 'disari' (village quack) who treated him by blowing into his face. The next day, the Disari landed in the hospital himself with similar symptoms.

PTI