(MENAFN- The Journal Of Turkish Weekly) Health officials in Bulgaria on Saturday launched a large-scale disinfection operation after a man died from anthrax after handling infected beef, local media reported.

The man, identified by the Focus Information Agency as a 53-year-old from the Black Sea's Varna region, is said to have passed meat from the cow to an illegal meat processing factory before dumping the remains at a landfill site.

The infected meat was reportedly sold around Provadia, Karnobat and Varna and the carcass was dumped in Mlada Gvardia, where disinfection was underway, Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Health authorities in Varna have put 20 people in quarantine. Sheep and cattle in Mlada Gvardia are also under quarantine.

Anthrax is an infectious disease that can enter the body through skin contact, respiration or ingestion.