News:Recently,Veterinarians have confirmed anthrax as the cause of death of two Asiatic water buffaloes in central Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.
Facts:
About Anthrax:
- Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
- The bacteria live in soil and usually infects wild and domestic animals such as goats,cattle and sheep.
- However,humans,pigs and dogs are comparatively less susceptible and only get infected if exposed to copious amounts of spores.
- Anthrax responds well to antibiotic treatment but vaccines are necessary as the infection can cause death within two-three days leaving no scope for diagnosis and treatment.
- Anthrax does not spread directly from one infected animal or person to another as it spread by spores.These spores can be transported by clothing or shoes.
- In 2001,these spores were used as agents of bio-terrorism when letters containing anthrax spores were sent to some people in America leading to widespread panic.
Additional information:
About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the floodplains of River Brahmaputra in the district of Morigaon and about 45 kms from Guwahati,the capital of Assam,India.
- It harbors the highest density of Rhino in the world and the second highest concentration of Rhino in Assam after Kaziranga National Park.
- Besides rhinoceros, the other mammals found are Leopard, Leopard cat, Fishing cat, Jungle cat, Feral Buffalo, Wild pigs, Chinese pangolins among others.
Other National Parks in Assam:
- Dibru-Saikhowa National Park,
- Kaziranga National Park,
- Manas National Park,
- Nameri National Park,
- Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park.
