A man, 40, from the village of Zgardesti in Telenesti district was admitted to hospital several days ago with what doctors believed was a cutaneous form of anthrax. The diagnosis is now confirmed by lab tests, the National Public Health Center reported.

The man, a sheepherder in the village, sought medical help on August 17, complaining of fatigue, moderate-grade fever, ulcerating fingers and a swollen right arm and forearm. The same day, an epidemiological investigation was conducted to identify the potential anthrax focus. It was found that the sheepherder had slaughtered a goat on August 8 without consulting a veterinarian, and the first symptoms appeared a week later.

Initially the man was admitted to the Singerei District Hospital to be transferred to the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Chisinau several days later. The patient's condition is moderate.

Anthrax is an acute infectious disease affecting both humans and animals. Of the four forms that humans can develop, the cutaneous one is the most common and least serious. It is rarely fatal if treated. It is the pulmonary form that is has the highest mortality rates.