PESHAWAR, Nov 2: Anthrax outbreak in livestock reported from Orakzai and Kurram agencies, has been caused by the infected cattle brought by the Afghan displaced families in recent days, official sources said.

According to reports submitted to the provincial authorities by the veterinary officers from the areas where anthrax cases have been reported, the recent spate of disease has been caused by the infected cattle brought by the Afghans who recently entered Pakistan.

According to rough estimates, Afghan families finding their way in Pakistan through unfrequented routes specially in Fata bring five to six animals on average basis.

The small herds of cattle and animals including horses, dogs, donkeys, brought by the Afghans are apparently feared to have caused health hazards to the local animals.

According to one of the reports, goats and sheep of the Afghan origin in Orakzai and Kohat areas were found to be affected by anthrax bacterium.

The provincial  government, said the sources, was making arrangements to provide vaccination meant for controlling the spread of anthrax in livestock.

Sources in the Veterinary Research Institute, Peshawar, said that anthrax vaccine would shortly be dispatched to the areas from where anthrax cases in livestock had been reported besides those areas from where requests for the provision of the said vaccination had recently been made.

COLLEGE CLASSESS: The Islamia College, Peshawar, will resume classes only for the students of intermediate on Monday, states a press release issued here on Friday. The government had closed down all educational institutions in the province following US-UK airstrikes against Afghanistan on Oct 7.

However, the schools were re-opened after eight days on Oct 16, but the colleges and universities remained closed as the government fears that the students might come on roads to stage protest demonstrations against the US-led attacks on Afghanistan.