Anthrax In Kulon Progo Under Control: Minister

KLATEN, C. Java, Jan 26 (Antara) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said that anthrax infection in Kulon Progo district in Yogyakarta has been under control. He added that the ministry has set up a post to anticipate further infection of the bacterium on local livestock. "It is under control, people should not worry," he said, after the opening of a national meeting of agriculture instructors, here on Wednesday. The minister stated that the government had sent a special team to examine anthrax infection on cattle in Kulon Progo as soon as they received the report. The team has set up a post to anticipate further infection of the bacterium. "The result is negative (no anthrax)," he added. Earlier in January, a cow and 14 goats had reportedly died from anthrax in Purwosari village in Kulon Progo district. The incident, which had been taking place since November, was only reported to the authorities recently. The government has sent 17.6 thousand doses of vaccine to tackle the bacterial infection in Purwosari village. Another report said that the infection had been transmitted to a 9-year old boy who died later. But there was no evidence that the boy had died because of the infection. A team of the Health Ministry confirmed that it had found no further cases of anthrax among humans. Kulon Progo Health Office could still handle the case in the area.