Human anthrax in India may be linked to vulture decline

Human anthrax in India may be linked to the decline of vultures. Wildlife scientists in India suspect that a reported resurgence in anthrax among humans in some parts of the country may be linked to a sharp, unprecedented drop in India's population of vultures. Government epidemiologists say, however, that no evidence exists yet for such a link.

Animal anthrax remains endemic in India because inadequate vaccination and lack of cooperation from farmers has kept livestock susceptible to the infection. But the incidence of human …