ANTHRAX: WHAT IS IT AND WHAT TO DO
Anthrax is one among many zoonotic diseases (diseases that can affect humans and animals-domestic and wild). If you are a Kenyan and follow the news then you must have heard of several outbreaks (with the most recent one killing 10 buffaloes in Lake Nakuru).
How do animals or humans get anthrax?
Animals become infected when they drink contaminated water or eat contaminated grass from a spot near where a carcass with anthrax lies exposed (ever wondered why the outbreaks occur in the same areas?).
In humans, anthrax can be transmitted via the skin by touching the carcass, blood, wool, bones or skin of an animal that died of anthrax.
What signs to look for?
In animals: there is a sudden onset of death (always suspect anthrax when your animal(s) die suddenly). The animal also has a swelling under the jaw and sometimes under the neck, chest and abdomen. As the blood does not clot normally with anthrax, the blood in and around the nose, mouth, vulva and anus may be black in colour (Fig-1).
Fig-1: A buffalo with dark-unclotting blood oozing from all body openings
The carcass of animals that have died from Anthrax may be bloated and the body does not become rigid/stiff (Fig-2).
A cow that died of anthrax with signs of bloat, and non-stiff/rigid limbs
In humans: Anthrax transmitted by skin causes vesicles in the skin that are slightly painful and black in colour. Without treatment, one out of five infected people die. Symptoms of Anthrax disease from eating contaminated products are violent, expressed by vomiting and bloody diarrhoea (25-75% of the patients die).
Is there something you can do to be safe?
- Any animal that dies suddenly is suspicious of being infected with anthrax: do not do an autopsy on this animal it can be very dangerous!
- Do not do an autopsy nor touch with bare hands or eat an animal that has died of unknown causes especially if it has blood oozing out of its natural openings.
- Destroy the carcass as rapidly as possible by incineration, burning, or burying. Bury the carcass 2 metres deep to prevent wild animals or anyone from accessing the carcass and secure the burial site with a fence.
- When burying and burning spray the carcass and the surrounding/contaminated ground/soil with 10% formaldehyde (approximately 30% formalin) mixed at a rate of 1–1.5 litre /m³. AVOID USING LIME or other calcium products.
- Beware of small skin injuries and take care of personal hygiene when disposing of a suspected dead animal. Wear gloves and protective gear.
- Ventilate and use proper working clothes in places where products of animal origin are handled, especially leathers and wool.
- Vaccinate cattle and goats annually in regions where anthrax is common
What should you do if you suspect anthrax?
- In animals – contact your veterinarian.
- In humans – contact your physician
