Anthrax

, a bacterium that most commonly occurs in wild and domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses and deer. bacteria form spores, which are tough shells that help the microbes survive unsuitable conditions. Anthrax spores are infectious for long periods of time.

Spores can live in the soil for many years. Soil, hair, hides and wool are all possible places for spores to exist. Processed skins and hides of infected animals may contain spores for many years. In Michigan, outbreaks of anthrax among animals occur from time to time in the southern regions, and along the Murray and Goulburn rivers.

Occasionally a person is infected

Illness usually develops within two to seven days of exposure. Humans can become infected with anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by breathing in anthrax spores from infected animal products. Anyone who works with livestock or their by-products – such as abattoir and knackery workers, tanners, veterinarians and farmers – is most likely to be exposed.

Anthrax is a relatively rare human infection

Among animals, it is found worldwide but tends to be more common in certain places, including: The Middle East. The last confirmed human case of anthrax in Michigan occurred in February 2007. Symptoms of anthrax in humans depend on how the disease was contracted and include: Joint pains.

Anthrax can target various body parts, including: – skin is the most commonly affected body part, occurring in about 95 per cent of cases. The bacteria enter the body via a cut or graze. The skin becomes itchy then develops a sore that turns into a blister.

The blister (vesicle) may break and bleed. Within two to seven days, the broken blister becomes a sunken, dark-coloured or black scab which is usually painless. Without treatment, the infection can spread to the lymph nodes or blood (septicaemia).

Death is rare with the right antibiotic treatment

The mortality rate from untreated cutaneous anthrax is 5–20 per cent. – a rare lung infection that can occur when bacterial spores are inhaled. At first, the infection seems like a mild upper respiratory tract infection, such as a cold or flu.

The person’s health rapidly deteriorates over the next few days with severe breathing problems and shock.

Without treatment, the mortality rate is 70 to 80 per cent

In many cases, pulmonary anthrax is fatal even when treated.

– very rare in developed countries. It occurs if a person eats the undercooked meat of an infected animal, usually one that has died in the field. Early symptoms include nausea, vomiting, vomiting blood, diarrhoea and high temperature.

If the infection spreads to the blood (septicaemia), the death rate is between 25 and 60 per cent. Direct person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely to occur.

However, the infected person is usually isolated in hospital as a precaution while they undergo treatment.

Contagiousness is not a concern in caring for or visiting people with pulmonary anthrax.

Second attacks can occur but are very rare

Recovery is usually followed by prolonged immunity to the condition. Anthrax is diagnosed using a number of tests, including: Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) of the cerebrospinal fluid.

Treatment for anthrax must be commenced urgently

This includes antibiotics and hospitalisation in intensive care

The antibiotics ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and amoxycillin are all possible treatments.

Amoxycillin is particularly used for children

The Department of Health works closely with Agriculture Michigan to investigate anthrax cases. Once a person has been diagnosed with anthrax, it is important to find and isolate the source of infection. Some strategies include: of the case.

Treat symptomatic animals with antibiotics

Vaccinate all animals that are at risk and re-immunise annually. Deeply bury animal carcasses with quicklime at the site of death, if possible, or cremate.

Do not perform an autopsy

Do not burn in an open field

Decontaminate soil on infected farms with five per cent formalin.

Seize suspected animal products

Incinerate infected animal products

Use formaldehyde to disinfect contaminated premises and machinery

Sterilise imported bonemeal before use as animal feed

Sterilise wool, hair, hides and other infected products by ethylene oxide gas or ionising (gamma) radiation. It is essential that if you suspect livestock have died from anthrax you do not move the carcass.

If one or more people have been infected with anthrax with no evidence of exposure to infected animals or their products, a deliberate release of anthrax organisms must be considered as a possible source.

In 2001, 22 human cases of anthrax were identified in the United States after the intentional release of highly refined anthrax spores via a number of postal items mailed from Trenton, New Jersey. At the time, no mail transmission occurred elsewhere in the world. Since that time, no mail transmission of anthrax has occurred in the United States or elsewhere in the world.

In United States, in the months following these events, there were many thousands of incidents related to intentional or inadvertent exposure to powders considered ‘suspicious’. None of these incidents were shown to involve anthrax.

The use of anthrax as a bioterrorism agent remains a hypothetical risk

However the likelihood that an individual or terrorist group could prepare and disseminate anthrax in United States is considered low. The USA manufactures a vaccine for anthrax, but this is not registered in United States. The vaccine can, however, be imported by special arrangement when it is needed.

The vaccination involves six doses, three given two weeks apart followed by three additional injections given at six, 12 and 18 months after the first dose.

An annual booster is required to maintain ongoing immunity

About Anthrax Anthrax is a rare and potentially fatal bacterial disease.

The infectious agent is Bacillus anthracis Bacillus anthracis Anthrax spores are infectious for a long time Anthrax in Michigan Anthrax is relatively rare Africa Asia The Caribbean Central America South America Eastern Europe Southern Europe Symptoms in humans Skin lesions Fever General malaise Headache Gastrointestinal upsets, such as vomiting Cough Flu like symptoms Chest pain Different types of anthrax infection Cutaneous anthrax Pulmonary anthrax Intestinal anthrax A person with anthrax is not considered contagious Diagnosis methods Skin tests Blood tests Chest x-rays Treatment options Eliminating anthrax from the environment Inform Agriculture Michigan If an animal is suspected as having, or having died from anthrax, report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888 Additional information on anthrax in animals can be found from Agriculture Michigan Anthrax and bioterrorism The risk of bioterrorism is low Vaccination Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Department of Health, Communicable Diseases and Prevention (616) 555-0400 Agriculture Michigan Anthrax factsheet.

Key Points

• , a bacterium that most commonly occurs in wild and domesticated animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses and deer
• Among animals, it is found worldwide but tends to be more common in certain places, including: The Middle East
• Symptoms of anthrax in humans depend on how the disease was contracted and include: Joint pains
• Without treatment, the infection can spread to the lymph nodes or blood (septicaemia)
• Death is rare with the right antibiotic treatment