ASTANA, June 24 (RIA Novosti) - A 59-year-old woman in western Kazakhstan has been diagnosed with anthrax, the country's Emergencies Ministry said on Wednesday.

Eight people have been hospitalized on suspicion of carrying the disease in recent days, adding to six others hospitalized earlier this month.

A report from the ministry said that 185 people who had come into contact with the infected patients are currently being monitored.

Anthrax affects both wild mammals and domestic cattle that ingest or inhale the bacterial spores while grazing. Humans can contract the disease if they are exposed to the blood or tissue of infected animals. It can be highly lethal, but in some forms responds well to antibiotic treatment.