ANTHRAX
Facts
by Dr. Sudhakar Bangera
Anthrax is an acute infectious disease caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
Anthrax most commonly occurs in warm-blooded animals, but can also infect man. Anthrax spores can be produced in a dry form (for biological warfare), which may be stored and ground into particles. If inhaled by humans, these particles cause respiratory failure and death within a week.
Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions where it occurs in animals When anthrax affects humans, it is usually due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Workers who are exposed to dead animals and animal products (industrial anthrax) from other countries where anthrax is more common may become infected.
Anthrax infection can occur in three forms:
cutaneous (skin), inhalation (breathing), and gastrointestinal (swallowing).
B. Anthracis spores can live in the soil for many years and humans can become infected with Anthrax by handling animal products from infected animals or by inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products. Eating undercooked meat can also spread anthrax. Because anthrax spores remain infectious for many years, the disease can be picked up from old animal products such as sheepskins, wool blankets etc.
SYMPTOMS
CUTANEOUS: Most anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when handling contaminated wool, hides, leather or hair products of infected animals. Skin infection initially resembles an insect bite. but later on develops into black necrotic scab. About 20% of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax will result in death. Deaths are rare with appropriate antibiotics.
INHALATION: Initial symptoms may resemble a common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing problems and shock. Inhalation anthrax usually results in death in 1-2 days after onset of the acute symptoms.
INTESTINAL: The intestinal disease form of anthrax may follow the consumption of contaminated meat and is characterized by nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, fever are followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25% to 60% of the cases.
So in essence the common manifestations of the disease are:
A reddish brown sore that breaks open and forms a scab Fever
Chills
General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
(malaise)
Headache
Nausea & vomiting
Shortness of breath
Cough
Congestion of the nose and throat
Pneumonia
Chest pain
Joint stiffness
Joint pain
Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating B. anthracis from the blood, skin lesions, or respiratory secretions or by measuring specific antibodies in the blood of suspected cases.
TREATMENT AND PREVENTION
Antibiotics like Ciprofloxacin and Penicillin are preferred, but Erythromycin or Tetracycline can also be used. To be effective, treatment should be initiated early. A vaccine is also available. The vaccine is reported to be 93% effective in protecting against cutaneous anthrax. This vaccine, while known to protect against anthrax acquired through the skin, is also believed to be effective against inhaled spores. Effective decontamination can be accomplished by boiling contaminated articles in water for 30 minutes or longer and using common disinfectants. Chlorine is effective in destroying spores and vegetative cells.
WHEN TO SUSPECT YOUR MAIL
Recent cases of anthrax that have been reported are due to the contaminated mails. So a natural question
arises that when to suspect a mail. Following may be of help.
The mail might :
Have any powdery substance on the outside.
Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you.
Have excessive postage, handwritten or poorly typed address, incorrect titles or titles with no name, or misspellings of common words.
Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated.
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