A 45-year-old woman died with anthrax symptoms at Belka Union of Sundarganj upazila in Gaibandha on Sunday morning.
The deceased was identified as Mozena Begum, wife of Md. Abul Hossain, a resident of West Belka village (Dakkidar Mor) in the upazila.
According to the Belka Union Parishad Chairman Maulana Md. Ibrahim Khalilullah, Mozena Begum passed away while undergoing treatment at Rangpur Medical College Hospital on Saturday night.
She owned a goat and two kids, one of which fell ill. The family slaughtered the sick kid, during which Mozena injured her finger on September 30. Initially, she later consulted a local village doctor. As her condition did not improve, she was taken to the Upazila Health Complex and later referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital, where she died.
Her nephew and village doctor, Md. Ashraful Islam, said that on her first visit, her finger had a black blister. He provided initial treatment and warned her that anthrax bacteria might be present and advised immediate hospital care.
Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr. Dibakar Basak said that Mozena Begum came to the health complex in very critical condition on October 4. She was referred to Rangpur Medical College Hospital after receiving necessary treatment.
Regarding whether anthrax was the cause of death, Dr. Basak said that it cannot be confirmed without laboratory tests. However, her medical history and symptoms, including low blood pressure and breathing difficulties, indicated signs consistent with anthrax.
