Anthrax

Anthrax is a serious bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis, typically acquired from contact with infected animals or animal products. It can affect the skin, lungs, or gastrointestinal tract, with the skin form being the most common and treatable, while inhaled anthrax is rare but life-threatening.

• Cutaneous (skin) anthrax: a painless, itchy skin sore that develops into a blister and then a characteristic black-centred ulcer, often on exposed skin such as the hands or face
• Gastrointestinal anthrax: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever after eating contaminated meat
• Inhalational anthrax: initial flu-like symptoms progressing rapidly to severe breathing difficulty and shock — a medical emergency
• Swollen lymph nodes near the site of infection are common

• Caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, whose spores can survive in soil for long periods.
• Typically acquired through contact with infected animals (particularly livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats), their hides, wool, or meat.
• Occupational risk is highest for farmers, herders, and those who handle animal products, particularly during handling of a sick or dead animal or its carcass.

• Suspected based on the characteristic skin ulcer with a black centre in someone with relevant animal or animal-product contact.
• Diagnosis is confirmed through laboratory testing (such as culture or specialised testing of a wound swab, blood, or other sample) at a reference laboratory.
• Chest imaging may show characteristic changes in inhalational anthrax.

Cutaneous anthrax is treated with an appropriate oral or intravenous antibiotic, such as ciprofloxacin or doxycycline, for a course of about 7–10 days in uncomplicated cases (or longer following certain types of exposure), and generally has a good outcome with prompt treatment.

Gastrointestinal and inhalational anthrax are medical emergencies requiring hospital admission for intravenous antibiotics, often in combination, together with intensive supportive care.

Any suspected case of anthrax should be reported promptly to health authorities, given its association with infected livestock and the need for public health investigation and animal control measures.

• Avoid handling, skinning, or eating meat from animals that have died suddenly or of unknown cause.
• Use protective equipment such as gloves when handling animal hides, wool, or carcasses, particularly in known-affected areas.
• Support veterinary vaccination of livestock in areas where anthrax occurs.
• Seek prompt medical care for any unusual skin sore following animal contact, and report sick or unexplained animal deaths to veterinary or public health authorities.