Anthrax found in Hungary

photo: medindia.net

“Five people have been placed under medical watch on suspicion that they have been infected,” local healthcare agency says...

Anthrax has been found in beef in eastern Hungary, local healthcare agencies said. “Five people have been placed under medical watch on suspicion that they have been infected,” they said.
Infected beef from a farm in Tiszafured, some 160 kilometres east of Budapest, is believed to be the source of the outbreak.

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease accompanied by toxicosis, inflammation of the skin, lymphatic glands and body organs.

Russia banned pork imports from the EU in January due to the threat of the African swine fever outbreak. In April the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Oversight banned pork imports from Poland and Lithuania, after which the EU filed the application to the WTO.
http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/739036
4/7/14
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• BUDAPEST: An infection of deadly anthrax has been identified in beef in eastern Hungary and five people are being monitored in hospital for suspected symptoms of the disease, the health authority ANTSZ said Friday.

It said the disease was identified in frozen beef after two cattle were illegally slaughtered in a farm in Tiszafured, a town about 160 km east of Budapest.

The ANTSZ said the five people hospitalised had probably contracted the disease during illegal slaughtering. Some of the beef had been transported to a company that operates canteens, and the operation of the firm had been suspended.

The authority said anthrax, if identified in time, can be cured effectively with antibiotics. It is trying to find out if more people came into contact with the infected animals or meat.

The health authority said it had started the vaccination of animals that could be potentially exposed to anthrax bacteria.

"Authorities have taken the necessary measures, so there is no longer an immediate danger," the statement said.

But it said the food safety office would report the matter to police for purposes of a criminal investigation since the canteen firm had bought meat from illegal sources.  
[Reuters] 
4/7/14