Two villagers are being treated at a local hospital for anthrax, an infectious disease, in Ganyu county, Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu Province.

"There are indeed two villagers who have diagnosed of anthrax in the county, but we are not very clear on the details," an unidentified staffer at the disease control and prevention center of Lianyungang, told the Global Times.

The two villagers were sent to the Lianyungang No.4 People's Hospital with swollen, festering and blackened skin. Laboratory tests confirmed they are suffering from the highly infectious disease. Five other villages with skin irritations have been quarantined.

The seven villagers, along with three others, slaughtered a sick bull that had been transported from another province. The three villagers who have not shown any symptoms are taking preventive medication.

The source of anthrax infection is herbivores including cattle, sheep and mules. It is listed as a Grade-B infectious disease by Chinese authorities.

Anyone who comes in close contact with an animal stricken by anthrax will be infected.

"Every year China has anthrax cases, which can be treated with antibiotics," reported guokr.com, a Chinese science website.

Global Times