In Sto. Niño, Cagayan, a farmer and his son are suspected to have contracted anthrax after slaughtering and consuming meat from their deceased carabao. According to the Cagayan Provincial Health Office, the incident began on October 6, when the farmer discovered his carabao had died overnight. Rather than disposing of the carcass, he and his son butchered the animal, selling some of the meat and consuming the rest.
A few days later, both individuals began experiencing symptoms such as fever, shaking, weakness, and dark skin lesions. They have since been hospitalized, with samples sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for anthrax testing.
Approximately 100 people who bought the carabao meat are also being monitored. According to health authorities, anthrax can be transmitted to humans through the handling, consumption, or inhalation of spores from infected animals, particularly if the meat is not thoroughly cooked.