Anthrax

Credit: International Livestock Research Institution, ILRI

Anthrax Description

Anthrax is also called carbúnco or splenic fever. It used to be a global disease, but many countries have succeeded in eradicating it.

It is prevalent in East Asia, West and Central Africa, Madagascar and Central America.

Anthrax Animal Symptoms

The peracute form of Anthrax progresses rapidly! Dead animals are suspected to have died from poisoning or lightning.

As the blood does not coagulate normally with Anthrax, the blood in and around the nose, mouth, vulva and anus may be black in colour.

Symptoms of Anthrax of the acute and sub-acute form include: fever, nervousness, difficulties with breathing and walking

Symptoms of Anthrax of the acute and sub-acute form also include: convulsions (fits) and death. The blood is not always observed to be black

The chronic form of Anthrax develops slower, with a swollen tongue and bloody foam from the mouth, but the animal soon dies because it cannot breathe.

The carcass of animals that have died from Anthrax do not become rigid.

Anthrax Animal transmission

Anthrax can affect all animals, domestic and wild.

Animals become infected with Anthrax when they drink contaminated water or eat contaminated grass from a spot near where a carcass with anthrax lies exposed

Anthrax Human Symptoms

Anthrax transmitted by skin causes vesicles in the skin that are slightly painful and black colour. Without treatment, one out of five infected people die.

At the onset Anthrax via inhalation seems like a common respiratory infection, but days later it becomes more serious and may even cause death.

Symptoms of Anthrax disease from eating contaminated products are violent, expressed by vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. Some 25 to 75% of the patients die.

Anthrax Human transmission

Anthrax can be transmitted via the skin by touching the carcass, blood, wool, bones or skin of an animal that died of anthrax.

Respiratory form of Anthrax is caused by inhalation when working with leathers and wools in a closed atmosphere.

Intestinal form of Anthrax can be contracted from eating the meat or drinking the blood of an animal affected by this disease.

Anthrax Prevention

Any animal that dies suddenly is suspicious of being infected with anthrax: do not do an autopsy on this animal it can be very dangerous!

Do not do an autopsy nor touch with bare hands or eat an animal that has died of unknown causes specially if it has blood oozing out of its natural openings

Destroy the carcass as rapidly as possible by burning or burying with caustic lime. Prevent wild animals opening the carcass or grave

Beware of small skin injuries and take care of personal hygiene when disposing of a suspected dead animal. Wear gloves and protective gear

 Ventilate and use proper working clothes in places where products of animal origin are handled, especially leathers and wool.

Vaccinate cattle and goats annually in regions where anthrax is common

Anthrax Action 

If you suspect Anthrax: (1) In animals – contact your veterinarian; (2) In humans – contact your physician 

Content provided by Zoonotic and Emerging Diseases Group (ZED) University of Liverpool , International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Zoonoses in Livestock in Kenya (ZooLink)