RAWALPINDI, Oct 25: Rawalpindi hospitals have finalized all arrangements and contingency plans to handle any anthrax case, hospital sources told Dawn on Thursday.

Arrangements had been initiated following growing concerns in the public about anthrax.

Sources said instructions had been issued to them by the higher authorities to remain prepared for any eventuality. The Rawalpindi hospitals, sources said, were properly equipped and had the best possible diagnostic facilities for anthrax cases.

Moreover, the hospitals also had arranged sufficient stocks of medicines, they added.

“People do not have to worry because they have developed resistance against the disease due to greater exposure”, doctors said. Nevertheless, they said, there were genuine concerns about bio-terrorism.

“Secondly, the other reason for fearing incidence of anthrax is the massive influx of refugees, majority of whom are shepherds who might be harbouring the pathogen”, they added.

The doctors said anthrax was very much curable with Ciprofloxacin 750mg. However, they said, this drug could not be used in children who were required to be treated with Pencillin-G or Tetracycline.

Physicians also suggest Chloramphenicol as an effective treatment.

Doctors have asked the public that in case of exposure to a material suspected of containing anthrax, they need not panic and can contact Holy Family Hospital, which has adequate arrangements for dealing with the problem.