ANTHRAX!!!

Anthrax is an acute bacterial zoonotic disease (passed from animal to man), it is a notifiable condition of public health interest. It is caused by a gram-positive spore forming bacteria Bacillus anthracis. It affects the skin in more than 90% of cases and rarely can infect the lungs upon inhalation or the intestines upon ingestion.

People can become infected with it by handling products from infected animals or by breathing in the spores from infected animal products.

A high index of suspicion is needed by an attending health care worker to appropriately detect Anthrax and take necessary treatment and notification measures as well.

Abattoir workers, meat handlers are at higher risk especially from skin injuries through which the organism gains entry to cause infection and the disease.

There is no person-to-person transmission of anthrax but contacts are traced and followed up with post exposure prophylaxis given especially if the case and contact were exposed to the same source of the infection.

Simple preventive measures include;

• proper care of abrasions or skin wounds especially by animal product handlers.

• Regular hand washing.

• Use of personal protective gears when handling animals and their by products.

• Ensure proper ventilation in areas where animals are kept.

• Quarantine any farm affected till it is safe.

• Call attention of Ministry of Agric to vaccinate potentially exposed livestock.

• Burn and Bury affected dead animals, as well as disinfecting contaminated sites.

Let us be vigilant and report any suspicious skin lesion.

Take responsibility for your health.