SHENYANG – Nine more people are suspected of being infected with cutaneous anthrax inNortheast China’s Liaoning province, bringing the total number of reported cases to 30, localhealth authorities said Friday.
Among the reported cases, three have been confirmed and 27 others are still beinginvestigated, the Liaoning Provincial Health Department said in a statement.
Twenty-nine of the patients are receiving treatment at an infectious disease hospital in the cityof Anshan, while the other one has been transferred to a hospital in the provincial capital ofShenyang.
An initial investigation by local health authorities indicated that the patients contracted thedisease after coming into direct contact with diseased cattle.
Cutaneous anthrax is an infection of the skin caused by direct contact with infected animals oranimal products. It is rarely fatal if treated.
Xinhua