Anthrax in Indonesia's Gunungkidul Regency Kills One; 87 Tested Seropositive

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Health Office of Gunungkidul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, corrected the information about the number of people who were confirmed to have died from anthrax in Candirejo District.

It was previously reported—according to the Health Ministry's data—that three people had died of anthrax. But after further investigation, it was discovered that only one had been confirmed to have died because of anthrax, based on laboratory tests at Dr. Sardjito Central General Hospital.

"Based on tracing and asking information from the residents of Semanu, only one died of anthrax," Gunungkidul Health Office's head of disease prevention and control Sidig Hery Sukoco said on Wednesday, July 5, as reported by Antara.

This information was also corroborated by the Vice Regent of Gunungkidul, Heri Susanto.

It was said that two other people who died had also consumed beef from a cow that was indicated to have had anthrax. However, their bodies have not been tested for anthrax.

The person who died of anthrax was a resident of Pedukuhan Jati, Candirejo Village. "The deceased was treated at Dr. Sardjito General Hospital on June 1st and died three days later," Sidig said.

Upon hearing of the death, a team from Gunungkidul Health Office visited the Pedukuan Jati to examine the residents and found 87 as seropositive for anthrax, meaning they had been exposed to anthrax, but they did not show clinical symptoms.

People who are seropositive anthrax, Sidig said, have a chance to recover because they now have antibodies. "The 87 residents are asymptomatic, we have also given them treatment," he said.

DEVY ERNIS

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