New Delhi: Days after the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras announced the presence of anthrax — a highly infectious disease that can spread to humans — in a deer carcass found on campus, officials of the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS) said the samples have tested negative for the bacterial disease.
In a statement released Wednesday, the chief forest officer and chief wildlife conservator of Tamil Nadu said there was no trace of anthrax in the blood and flesh samples from the deer carcass. However, further analysis was being carried out to ascertain the cause of death.
“The result of this investigation was released on 22 March 2022. According to the report, there was no trace of anthrax in the blood and flesh samples,” it read.
IIT-Madras had Friday said that at least four deer were found dead on campus within two days. The presence of anthrax was suspected in one of the carcasses, while samples from the other three were inconclusive.
R Karunakaran, dean of Madras Veterinary College at TANUVAS, told ThePrint, “We had initially suspected anthrax infection. The deers were found with blood oozing from their mouths, which is a symptom of anthrax infection. According to protocol, we had advised the institute to bury the deer carcass, to prevent spread.”
A spokesperson of IIT-Madras, who did not wish to be named, however told ThePrint that they were yet to receive an official notification saying the results were negative for anthrax.
Meanwhile, a monkey was found dead on the IIT-Madras campus Wednesday with similar symptoms. Samples taken from the animal were being analysed, Karunakaran told ThePrint.
Also read: How new IIT Madras centre will map human brains — one thin slice at a time