The meat contaminated with anthrax has found its way to stores in Varna and other cities in northeastern Bulgaria, including probably for sale in the Golden Sands resort, public television reported Wednesday evening.
Varna Police Chief Daniel Paszov said four people were arrested in connection with the distribution of contaminated meat, including the owner of the plant where it was produced.
On Saturday, the Bulgarian health ministry announced the death of a 53-year-old man from the village of Młada Gvardia near Varna. According to the ministry, he died after being infected by a sick cow. Regardless of the animal’s disease, the man killed it and sold the meat to a plant in the Asparuchowo district of Varna. Some of the contaminated beef has been consumed by more than 20 villagers who are currently receiving antibiotic treatment.
Another cow died in the village on Monday due to anthrax. The veterinary authorities started vaccinating the cattle in the village, their owners were forbidden to take the cows outside the farms. However, the decision to destroy the breeding farm was not made.
The administrative head of the Varna region, Stojan Pasew, called an extraordinary meeting of the crisis management staff on Wednesday evening in connection with the dangerous spread of the plague. Authorities are trying to determine exactly which facilities the contaminated meat has ended up in. According to preliminary data, the sausages could be sold to the retail chains in Varna, Dobrich and Biała.
Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) is a dangerous, usually deadly, infectious disease in domestic animals. It spreads to humans and can lead to skin, gastrointestinal and lung infections with subsequent death.
The anthrax bacteria can be used as a biological weapon and are considered to be one of the most serious bioterrorist threats.
From Sofia, Ewgenia Manołowa (PAP)