Tulungagung (ANTARA) – Six residents of Sidomulyo Village, Pagerwojo District, Tulungagung Regency, who are suspected of being exposed to the anthrax bacteria are allowed to return to their homes and carry out their normal activities after being given antibiotics from a doctor.
“They (patients/patients) are not isolated, but we educate them to do this personal hygiene (self-hygiene),” said the Head of Disease Prevention and Control of the Tulungagung District Health Office, Didik Eka, confirmed by telephone in Tulungagung, East Java, Sunday.
Didik admits that anthrax is a very contagious and dangerous disease, but this disease can still be controlled.
“Actually, if our suspicions are correct, that (skin disease) is anthrax, being given antibiotics is not contagious,” explained Didik.
However, of course the treatment must be done continuously. At least 20 days since the disease began to be treated with medication under the guidance and supervision of a doctor.
There is no direct recommendation for these six patients to carry out strict isolation at home. The medical team from the Pagerwojo Community Health Center and the Health Service who are actively providing assistance only ask the person concerned to routinely take drugs and antibiotics, as well as maintain hygiene.
“Tracing We have also carried out (searches) to local residents, since the first case was discovered on Wednesday (2/6), by conducting direct visits from house to house,” he continued.
As a result, there have been no additional reports of new cases found. Health workers currently choose to actively monitor and examine patients/patients by visiting their homes located in Toro Hamlet, Sidomulyo Village.
The anthrax case in Tulungagung has also received special attention from the East Java Livestock Service and the Ministry of Agriculture, by bringing a special team from the Wates Yogyakarta Veterinary Center.
Samples of the internal organs of dead cattle, the soil of the livestock dung disposal area in the contaminated environment have been taken for examination. Similarly, samples of blood and skin areas of residents who experience symptoms of skin blisters in the form of a ring with a charred color in the middle, which is very similar to anthrax.
For samples from contaminated organs, feces and cage soil, BB Veterinary Wates Yogyakarta has confirmed to the Tulungagung Regency Government that the cause of death of a number of cattle in Sidomulyo Village is anthrax bacteria.
However, samples of skin wounds from residents are currently being investigated by a laboratory team from the Yogyakarta BB Veterinary.
“Hopefully this week, God willing, Thursday (10/6) the results will be out and we will receive them,” said Didik.
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