China Reports First Human Case of Pulmonary Anthrax in 10 Years

What’s new: Beijing reported a case of pulmonary anthrax on Monday, the first human infection of the deadly disease in the country in 10 years.

The patient, who came from Chengde, North China’s Hebei province, was found to have been in contact with local cattle and sheep, and these animals’ products, according to a statement (link in Chinese) issued by the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control.

The patient was transferred to Beijing by ambulance four days after the onset of symptoms, and is being isolated and treated in a hospital, the statement said.

It remains unclear exactly how the patient caught the disease.

Measures to control the spread of the disease have been implemented, the statement added.

What’s more: Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by exposure to the bacterium, bacillus anthracis, and is prevalent among herbivores such as cattle, sheep and deer, the statement said.

People are usually infected after coming in contact with infected animals or their products. Pulmonary anthrax specifically is caused by inhaling droplets or dust containing the bacterium, the statement said.

In 2011, a patient died after being diagnosed with pulmonary anthrax in Ulanhot, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Quick Takes are condensed versions of China-related stories for fast news you can use.

Contact reporter Wang Xintong (xintongwang@caixin.com) and editor Lu Zhenhua (zhenhualu@caixin.com)

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