More About Anthrax
by Youmasu J. Siewe, Ph.D, MPH.
The following article was published in the Stillwater News Press on October 24, 2001.
Health, a Collective Responsibility! The recently reported deaths from Anthrax, and possible terrorist connection, warrant ongoing public education about this disease, so as to ensure calm, and for individuals to be able to make informed decisions, or take appropriate actions about the disease. As of the time of this article, no case of anthrax has been identified in the state of Oklahoma, following over 179 environmental samples tested for the presence of Anthrax by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). All tested samples have been negative. Even with such good news for Oklahoma, it is still important for individuals to remain alert to their health needs, that of their families, and report unusual symptoms of any disease, or those resembling anthrax to a health care provider.
Quick Review: What is Anthrax? It is an infectious but non-contagious disease caused by bacteria called the “bacillus anthracis”. This bacterium is commonly found in wild and domesticated animals like cattle, sheep, goats, camels, antelopes and other plant-eating animals. In the spore form, the bacteria can remain inactive for years until it finds a favorable environment to become virulent or harmful, reports the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
How common is Anthrax and who can get it? Anthrax is common in agricultural regions where it mostly affects animals. When it affects humans, this is usually occupational or work-related, where individuals get infected through handling infected animals or their products.
In what forms does Anthrax occur? Anthrax occurs in three forms:
- The skin form also called Cutaneous, in this form the bacteria get into the body through an opening or abrasion on the skin, as may happen when handling contaminated animal products or infected animals. The Cutaneous or skin infection starts as an itchy bump on the skin resembling an insect bite, swells with fluid and later breaks into a painless ulcer. This painless ulcer has a typical black and dead area of skin in the center of the ulcer. About 20% of untreated skin anthrax cases result in death. Antibiotics are the preferred treatment for this and other types of anthrax.
- Inhalation form of Anthrax: this form of anthrax is caused by the same bacteria, with sign and symptoms that resemble that of the common cold. These symptoms usually progress to severe breathing difficulty, shock and death. Inhalation anthrax is known to be the deadliest, with a 90-100% death rate.
- Intestinal Anthrax: This form of anthrax follows the consumption of contaminated meat. Signs and symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, and severe diarrhea. The death rate for intestinal anthrax is reported to range from 25-60 %.
How is anthrax identified or diagnosed? When an individual has anthrax, the causing organism (bacillus anthracis) can be found in blood, skin lesions or respiratory secretions during laboratory tests.
Who needs vaccination against Anthrax? The following categories of persons can be recommended to have the anthrax vaccine: those who work with the organism in the laboratory; those who work with imported animal skin of fur which might be contaminated with anthrax spores (the inactive forms) awaiting a favorable environment to become active); persons who handle infected animal products, and military personnel serving in areas where anthrax might be common.
Is there a cure for Anthrax? Health care providers can prescribe antibiotics, but treatment must be started early to prevent death from the disease.
What makes Anthrax so deadly? When the infecting bacteria enter the body, particularly the inhalation form, it rapidly multiplies in the body, blocks blood vessels, particularly capillaries, leading to tissue death by large numbers of the bacteria. When this happens, a condition called septicemia or poisoning of the blood causes the death of the victim.
For more info from the US Centers for Disease Control, check the web at http://www.cdc.gov