Three spotted deer die at IIT in suspected anthrax case

Samples sent to TANUVAS, results expected on Monday

Three deer on the IIT Madras campus died in a suspected case of anthrax. Samples were to be collected from carcasses and blood soaked sand were to be taken to TANUVAS for confirmatory diagnosis, the Animal Husbandry Department said on Friday.

The department was informed by the Chennai Wildlife Warden that three spotted deer had died on campus and the in–house veterinarian suspected anthrax, an official release said.

As a precaution, officials have been advised to dispose the carcasses according to codal procedures. Necropsy is not to be conducted on the animals and the carcasses were to be in a pit not less than 6-8 feet deep.

“Regarding the role of dogs in the disease, it is clarified that dogs are not known carriers of anthrax organisms and do not play any role in its transmission,” it said. Steps will be taken after confirmatory tests on the samples, it said.

According to estimates, there are over 300 deer, including spotted deer and blackbuck.

Meanwhile, the IIT Madras has issued a circular to all members of faculty, staff, students and residents on the campus to inform the control room 044-22579999/8280 about animals in distress.

The authorities have asked residents “not to go near any wild animals, spotted deer, blackbuck, monkey, mongoose, civet cat, monitor lizard and dogs, not feed them or touch them under any circumstance.”