Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Primarily a disease of herbivorous animals, but it can infect all mammals including humans. The B. Anthracis spores can be found in animal products such as wool, hair, hides, skins, bones, meal and the carcasses of infected animals. The spores can survive in the soil for many years.
Causative organism
* Bacillus anthracis
Incubation period
* 1 to 7 days
* Up to 60 days post exposure
Modes of transmission
There are three main modes of transmission:
* Direct contact
* Airborne
* Gastrointestinal infection
Signs and symptoms
* Cutaneous infection
* Malaise
* Fever
* Headache
* Respiratory infection
* Cyanosis
* Shock
* Death
* Nausea
* Loss of Appetite
* Vomiting
* Abdominal pain
* Toxemia
Risk factors
* Workers who come into contact with animal hides
* Workers involved in the handling of dead animals
Diagnosis
* Identification of the typical Gram positive bacilli of Bacillus anthracis from skin lesions
* Respiratory secretions
Management
* Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible.
* Mild cases of cutaneous anthrax may be effectively treated with oral Penicillin or tetracycline
* Treatment of inhalation or gastrointestinal anthrax requires high dose intravenous Penicillin
Preventive Measures
* Controlling anthrax in livestock
* Preventing gastrointestinal anthrax by forbidding the sale of meat from sick animals or animals that have died of the disease
* Regular cleaning and disinfection of the workplace
* Disinfecting animal products
* Processing hides, wool, and bone by tanning, dyeing, carbonizing or using acid treatment
* Administering vaccines
Good hygiene practice (hand washing avoiding hand to eye/mouth contact) and need to cover cuts and abrasions.
