'Anthrax' downs 10 farmers in Abra

LAGANGILANG, Abra -- Provincial health officials are now investigating why 10 farmers here got ill last week.
Suspecting anthrax as the culprit, government physicians with the help of the Abra provincial veterinary office are examining the farmers, who exhibited skin lesions, said SerafinAlzate from the Office of Gov. Eustaquio Bersamin.

Experts suspected that the farmers ate anthrax-infested carabao meat

Anthrax (bacillus anthracisis) is a deadly bacterial disease notoriously used in biological warfare.

Blood samples were taken from the farmers and were brought for verification and detection. Results are out in a week.

Health and veterinary officials of the province are closely monitoring the situation, added Alzate.

In May 2010, at least 41 were infected with anthrax in Villaviciosa town after they ate meat from two dead carabaos that died from the illness. None of them died.