Your trusted source

The epidemiological situation in the city of Ijevan is under control. No cases of infection with anthrax among people have been recorded there, Armenian Health Ministry said.

The Ministry received a report that one anthrax-infected animal was found near the city of Ijevan in Tavush region.

Ministry’s specialists conducted epidemiological tests to find no cases of infection among people.

The Veterinary Inspection of State Food Security Service said that the animal had not been vaccinated.

We will remind that suspicious cases of anthrax in Vardenis district of Armenia’s Gegharkunik region were reported to Armenian Health Ministry on October 20. After receiving the report, the Ministry ordered to conduct epidemiologic study and take preventive measures.

Samples were taken for test from 15 people hospitalized with suspected anthrax on October 17. According to Health Ministry, the results of laboratory tests showed that anthrax diagnosis was confirmed only for one patient, non-pathogenic cases of anthrax were revealed in 9 samples and 5 samples tested negative.

Anthrax is an infectious disease due to a type of bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. Infection in humans most often involves the skin, gastrointestinal tract, or lungs. Anthrax commonly affects hoofed animals such as sheep, cattle, and goats, but humans who come into contact with infected animals can get sick from anthrax, too. Anthrax does not spread from person to person.