Farm and Home Biosecurity
Consumer/General Public and Livestock/Row Crop Producer
The Ins and Outs of Anthrax
Most Americans knew nothing about anthrax before it became a tool of
terrorism, but the dangers are well known in the livestock industry.
Tom Troxel, beef cattle specialist for the University of Arkansas Cooperative
Extension Service, says, "Anthrax is
an acute infection of virtually all warm-blooded animals, including humans."
"The disease, which is caused by Bacillus anthracis, most
commonly occurs in cattle, horses, mules, sheep and wild animals. When it occurs
in a human, it's usually because a
person has been exposed to infected animals or tissue from infected animals."
Troxel said anthrax infection in humans can occur in three forms: cutaneous
(skin), inhalation and gastrointestinal. "In
the case of people handling livestock, humans can become infected by touching
infected animals or inhaling anthrax spores from contaminated animal products.
Eating undercooked meat from an infected animal can also spread anthrax."
Troxel noted that it's rare to find
infected animals in the United States. But, of course, after the recent
tragedies involving anthrax, we know the disease can be spread to people other
ways.
He said, "With cutaneous anthrax,
the bacterium usually enters a cut or abrasion on the skin. The infection begins
as an itchy bump that resembles an insect bite. Within a day or two, the bump
develops into a vesicle and then a painless ulcer, usually 1 to 3 centimeters in
diameter, with a characteristic black necrotic (dying) area in the center.
Adjacent lymph glands may swell."
Troxel said about 20 percent of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax result
in death. "Deaths are rare with
appropriate anti-microbial treatment."
If a person inhales anthrax spores, the initial symptoms may resemble a
common cold. After several days, the symptoms may progress to severe breathing
problems and shock.
"Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal,"
said Troxel.
The intestinal form of anthrax that can occur from eating contaminated meat
is characterized by an acute inflammation of the intestinal tract. Initial
symptoms, including nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and fever, are followed
by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and severe diarrhea.
"Anywhere from 25 percent to 60 percent of intestinal anthrax cases
end in death," said Troxel.
The specialist noted that the normal incubation period for anthrax in humans
is three to seven days.
Troxel said three common questions people ask about anthrax are can it be
spread from person-to-person, how is it diagnosed and is there a treatment?
"Direct
person-to-person spread of anthrax is extremely unlikely,"
he said.
"Anthrax is diagnosed by isolating Bacillus anthracis from the
blood, skin lesions or respiratory secretions, or by measuring specific
antibodies in the blood of persons with suspected cases."
Troxel said doctors can prescribe effective antibiotics, but to be effective,
treatment must begin early. "If
anthrax is left untreated, it can be fatal."
Back to Consumer/General Public
and Livestock/Row Crop Producer |
