Nairobi, April 16 -- At least 117 people have been hospitalised at Nyambene Hospital in Meru after eating meat from a cow that died of anthrax. 

By noon, eight patients had tested positive for the disease, with two presenting symptoms of subcutaneous (skin) anthrax and another two showing signs of gastrointestinal anthrax.

Nyambene Hospital Medical Officer in charge Githu Wachira said all patients were in a stable condition, even as health officials continued tracing more contacts.

"We expect to receive more patients for testing since the carcass was consumed by many people. The cow died last week and the meat has been consumed over several days," said Mr Wachira.

Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthrac...