Indonesian doctors are treating at least 10 villagers infected with skin anthrax while veterinarians are vaccinating livestock in areas around a remote island village hit by an outbreak of the fatal disease last week. The Jakarta Post also reported on Wednesday that authorities prohibited the movement of livestock in villages in Flores island to prevent anthrax from spreading.

An official from Indonesia's agriculture ministry said on Tuesday that 10 villagers initially contracted anthrax after eating infected beef. ABC Radio Australia said up to 750 villagers fell ill.

Musni Suatmojo, director of animal health at the Agriculture Ministry, said the sick villagers were given antibiotics and are now recovering from the disease. The director added that 20,000 doses of anthrax vaccines are being distributed in Flores island in eastern Indonesia.

ABC Radio Australia said the vaccines were distributed in three villages and other areas in Ende district. Another 20,000 doses of anthrax vaccines were sent to the adjacent Sikka district.

Anthrax commonly occurs in grass-eating animals. The disease is transmitted to humans through inhalation of the bacteria from infected animals. The anthrax bacteria can also pass through cuts in the skin or eating infected meat.

In April, an anthrax outbreak in Sumba island south of Flores island killed five people.