KHAR: Several people have been affected by anthrax which has also killed some animals in Mamond tehisl of Bajaur Agency, local people and officials of political administration informed Dawn on Friday.

The disease is common in farm animals, but there’s a small chance that people can get it as well, usually from some type of contact with an animal that has anthrax.

The officials said the disease had been reported in Niaga area, some 16 kilometres from the agency headquarters, Khar.

They said at least six people had been affected by the disease while six cattle killed.

The local livestock department has confirmed the outbreak of anthrax in the area. Assistant director livestock Dr Ahmad Younis said the disease had killed several animals and affected a number of others.

People also affected by the disease which is common in farm animals

The official said the livestock department was taking all out measures to control the disease, adding 10 teams had been in the affected area since Saturday, which had so far vaccinated about 500 animals against the disease.

He said anti-Congo spray had also been launched in the area while free anti-tick vaccine was distributed among the people.

Meanwhile, the local health department also confirmed that at least six people had been affected by anthrax virus in Mamond tehsil.

Sources in the health department told Dawn that a team had been sent to the affected area to examine the people allegedly affected by anthrax.

However, agency surgeon Dr Wazir Khan Safi said it was not yet clear if the people had been affected by anthrax. He said all the affected people had been brought to the agency headquarters hospital, where their blood samples were taken and sent to National Institute of Health, Islamabad for laboratory tests.

PASSING OUT PARADE: The agency’s top official on Friday vowed to make Bajaur Levies a model force by providing it with modern weaponry and imparting professional training to the personnel.

Political agent Abdul Amir Khattak made the remarks while addressing the passing-out parade of new recruits of Bajaur Levies here.

Tribal elders, members of peace committees, political activists, and officials various departments, levies and political administration were in attendance.

Family members of the levies personnel, who died in the line of duty, were also present.

The political agent, who is also the commandant of levies, said the force’s personnel had been doing a commendable job despite lack of resources.

Mr Khattak praised the sacrifices of levies men in the war on terrorism and for keeping peace in the agency. He said the force was the backbone of the local administration in maintaining writ of the government and normalcy in the region.

The official said hundreds of youths across the agency would be recruited in the force to increase its strength.

On the occasion, levies officials informed the political agent that over 80 personnel had died while at least 150 were wounded in the line of duty since 2008.

The recruits demonstrated their newly-acquired skills in combating terrorism, which enthused the audience.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2016