Anthrax disease

You may have just read that the federal government strongly warns Nigerians against the consumption of hide (ponmo), smoked meat and bush meat due to the outbreak of anthrax disease in neighbouring countries.

While ponmo, smoked meat and bush meat may not be foreign to you, ‘anthrax disease’ might be.

Here are six things you should know about the disease.

What is anthrax disease?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), anthrax is an infection caused by the spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis that typically affects ruminants such as cows, sheep, and goats.

It is a zoonotic disease, which means it is transmissible from animals to humans.

How do animals get infected?

Animals can become infected with the disease when they breathe in or ingest spores in contaminated soil, plants, or water.

For instance, animal feed can be contaminated by anthrax if it contains bone meal of infected animals. If an animal eats the feed, it could become infected.

Insects can also transmit the bacterium between animals.

How do humans get infected?

If anthrax spores get into the body and become ‘activated’, the bacteria can multiply, spread out in the body, produce toxins, causing severe illness.

Anthrax spores can get into the body through different ways which are classified into four types of anthrax. The symptoms of the disease also depend on the mode of infection.

Cutaneous anthrax occurs when anthrax spores get into the skin, usually through a cut when a person handles infected animals or contaminated animal products like wool, hides, or hair. Symptoms include small blisters that itch, skin sore and swelling around the sore.

Inhalation anthrax— This occurs when a person inhales anthrax spores in places such as wool mills and slaughterhouses when working with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

Inhalation anthrax is considered to be the most deadly form of anthrax. Symptoms include fever, chest discomfort, cough, body aches, vomiting, headache and shortness of breath.

Gastrointestinal anthrax — this happens when a person eats raw or undercooked meat from an animal infected with anthrax. Symptoms include fever, painful swallowing, diarrhoea, swelling of the abdomen, sore throat, and stomach pain

Injection anthrax — This newly discovered anthrax occurs when people inject themselves with contaminated heroin. The symptoms are similar to cutaneous anthrax but injection anthrax can spread throughout the body.

Is anthrax contagious in humans?

No, anthrax is not contagious and therefore cannot be caught from another person like the common cold or flu.

There is, however, a small risk in the case of cutaneous anthrax, where discharges from skin lesions may be infectious.

Can it be treated?

Anthrax can be treated with antibiotics, which need to be prescribed by a medical professional.

Also, humans potentially exposed to anthrax spores may be provided with prophylactic treatment. If left untreated, anthrax could lead to death.

Is there a vaccine for anthrax?

Yes, there are anthrax vaccines for animals and humans. But human vaccines are in limited supply and used primarily for protection of selected individuals possibly exposed due to their occupation.

SUMMARY

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It primarily affects animals, especially herbivores like cattle, sheep, and goats, but it can also infect humans. Anthrax can occur naturally in certain regions of the world and can also be used as a biological weapon.

There are three main forms of anthrax in humans, depending on the route of infection: cutaneous anthrax, inhalational anthrax, and gastrointestinal anthrax.

Cutaneous Anthrax: This is the most common form of anthrax in humans. It occurs when the bacterium enters through a cut or abrasion on the skin. Initially, a small, painless sore appears, which develops into a blister and then a black, necrotic ulcer surrounded by swollen lymph nodes. Cutaneous anthrax is rarely fatal if treated

Inhalational Anthrax: Inhalational anthrax is the most severe and deadly form of the disease. It occurs when the spores of Bacillus anthracis are inhaled into the lungs. Initial symptoms resemble a common cold, including fever, fatigue, cough, and mild chest discomfort. However, as the disease progresses, severe respiratory distress, shock, and meningitis can develop. Inhalational anthrax is extremely dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. Even with aggressive treatment, it has a high mortality rate.

Gastrointestinal Anthrax: Gastrointestinal anthrax is rare and occurs when contaminated meat is consumed. It affects the digestive system and can cause symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Gastrointestinal anthrax is also a severe form of the disease and can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Anthrax is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis, which can survive in the environment for long periods of time. The spores can be found in soil and can infect animals when they graze on contaminated grass or when they come into contact with contaminated animal products. Humans can become infected through direct contact with infected animals, their products (such as hides or wool), or by inhaling or ingesting the spores.

The diagnosis of anthrax is made through laboratory tests, including culturing the bacteria from clinical samples or detecting its DNA. Early diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment.

Treatment for anthrax involves the use of antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, or penicillin, to kill the bacteria. In severe cases, additional supportive care, such as respiratory support and intravenous fluids, may be necessary.

Prevention of anthrax involves a combination of measures, including vaccination of animals, proper disposal of animal carcasses, and public health surveillance. In regions where anthrax is endemic, vaccination of humans at risk, such as veterinarians or laboratory workers, may be recommended.

It's worth noting that anthrax can also be used as a biological weapon due to its potential to cause severe illness and death. In such cases, the spores can be deliberately released into the air or introduced into food or water supplies. The use of anthrax as a weapon is a serious concern and requires preparedness measures, including surveillance systems, stockpiling of medical countermeasures, and public health response plans.