The Ministry of Health, through the National Institute of Health, announced on March 13 that specialized laboratory analysis of a suspected anthrax case reported in the Ica region returned a negative result. The evaluation was conducted at the National Reference Laboratory for Metaxenic and Bacterial Zoonoses as part of ongoing epidemiological surveillance and prevention efforts for zoonotic diseases.
Samples sent from Félix Torrealva Gutiérrez Hospital did not show the presence of Bacillus anthracis, the bacterium responsible for anthrax. Authorities said that epidemiological monitoring remains active to ensure public health protection.
Specialists from the National Institute of Health used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing and bacterial culture methods on swabs from skin lesions and whole blood samples. These tests did not detect Bacillus anthracis in any analyzed samples.
These procedures are part of the institute’s role as a national reference center for diagnosing infectious, zoonotic, and emerging diseases. The institute provides scientific support to Peru’s health system for timely detection of health risks.
Health authorities stated that epidemiological investigation is ongoing to identify possible risk factors and confirm there are no additional related cases. So far, no new associated cases have been found, but monitoring continues to protect the population.
The National Institute of Health plays a strategic role in scientific research, specialized diagnosis, and epidemiological surveillance in Peru. Through its national reference laboratories, it conducts high-precision analyses that generate scientific evidence and strengthen the health system’s response capacity during health alerts or potential outbreaks.
