With anthrax claiming lives of four persons in Semiliguda and Sunabeda areas of Orissa's Koraput district, a team of experts on Friday visited the affected villages to assess the ground situation.

The team, headed by joint director of National Institute of Communicable Diseases Dr R K Panda went to Semiliguda area to collect blood samples of the affected persons and those showing symptoms of the disease, official sources said.

Another team of microbiologists was also scheduled to arrive in Koraput from New Delhi shortly for conducting further study and examination, they said.

The experts were expected to discuss with officials of the state's departments like health, forest and veterinary in order to take effective preventive measures against anthrax.

Meanwhile, around one lakh cattle have been vaccinated in the district to contain the spread of the disease.

The immunisation drive was in progress on a war footing following the outbreak of the disease, the sources said, adding that the veterinary department has immunised about 13,000 cattle in Semiliguda block alone.

Efforts were also being made to create awareness among the people about anthrax, which affects human beings by way of consumption of meat of infected animals, doctors said.

The sources said the situation was under control with teams of doctors and health workers visiting affected areas with medicines and vaccines to provide instant treatment to the affected and those admitted in hospitals.