Overview

Anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivorous mammals, although other
mammals and some birds have been known to contract it. Humans gener-
ally acquire the disease directly or indirectly from infected ani-
mals, or occupational exposure to infected or contaminated animal
products. Control in livestock is therefore the key to reduced inci-
dence. There are no documented cases of person to person transmis-
sion. The disease's impact on animal and human health can be devas-
tating. WHO has produced Guidelines for the surveillance and control
of anthrax in humans and animals.
http://www.who.int/emc-documents/zoonoses/whoemczdi986c.html [2]

The causative agent of anthrax is the bacterium, Bacillus anthracis,
the spores of which can survive in the environment for years or dec-
ades, awaiting uptake by the next host.

The disease still exists in animals and humans in most countries of
sub- Sahelian Africa and Asia, in several southern European coun-
tries, in the Americas, and certain areas of Australia. Disease out-
breaks in animals also occur sporadically in other countries.

There are 3 types of anthrax in humans: cutaneous anthrax, acquired
when a spore enters the skin through a cut or an abrasion; gastroin-
testinal tract anthrax, contracted from eating contaminated food,
primarily meat from an animal that died of the disease; and pulmonary
(inhalation) anthrax from breathing in airborne anthrax spores.

The cutaneous form accounts for 95% or more of human cases globally.
All 3 types of anthrax are potentially fatal if not treated promptly.

Prevention

Prevention of anthrax in both humans and animals is based on control
measures in livestock in endemic areas, such as the safe disposal of
anthrax carcasses and vaccination of at-risk herds. The most effi-
cient method of disposal is incineration in a manner that ensures
heat sterilization of the underlying soil. In practice, local condi-
tions in many endemic countries make these simple control measures
difficult to implement. In industrialized countries, prevention lies
in good agricultural and industrial hygiene. Vaccines are available
for animals and humans. However in humans their use should be con-
fined to high-risk groups, such as those occupationally exposed and
in some military settings.

Patient isolation is not required and there are no quarantine re-
quirements. Dressings and other contaminated materials should be dis-
posed of, preferably by incineration.

Treatment

Antibiotic therapy usually results in dramatic recovery of the indi-
vidual or animal infected with anthrax if given before onset or imme-
diately after onset of illness. The antibiotic prescribed depends on
the type and strain of anthrax present. No single drug is recommended
in all cases. Antibiotic therapy may be also used for prophylaxis in
asymptomatic patients believed to have been exposed to anthrax
spores.

Containment in animals

Following the first detection of anthrax in a herd, the remaining
animals should be removed immediately from the field and checked
regularly for signs of illness. In endemic areas, or if there is con-
cern that the outbreak may spread, the herd should be vaccinated.

--
Dr Brian Pazvakavambwa, MBChB, MPH
The World Health Organization (WHO)
Tel: +41-22-791-4564
Fax: +41-22-791-4834
mailto:[email protected] [3]
http://www.who.int/HIV_AIDS/ [4]
http://www.bpazva.8m.com [5]