Anthrax Outbreak:
A statement issued by the Siberian Ministry of Health spelled out that four anthrax infected patients died in a hospital in Tuva region, southern Siberia, because they refused to complete the treatment plan and left the medical facility without permission or approval from the responsible authorities.
Public health officials stated that the four patients who left the hospital had already undergone some antibiotic treatment, and were in stable condition—but they still had skin symptoms of the disease, and that anthrax patients could only be discharged after those skin lesions had fully healed; This is in line with health rules and regulations; Which may threaten public health through transmission of infection from human to human, thus increasing the number of infected people.
About the disease:
Anthrax is an infection caused by spore-forming bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. It is a zoonotic disease (disease transmitted from animals to humans) that usually affects ruminants (such as cattle, sheep, and goats). The bacteria produce very powerful toxins that are responsible for the symptoms, which lead to a high death rate. Humans can contract the disease from infected animals or through contaminated animal products.
Ways of transmission of the disease:
Anthrax is rarely passed from one person to another, however, anthrax bacteria can enter the body and multiply in four ways:
- Through skin contact with anthrax spores, such as by touching or handling the meat, skin or wool of infected animals, that enter a cut or scrape on the skin.
- From inhalation of anthrax spores from infected animals.
- From eating contaminated and undercooked meat from infected animals.
- From contaminated heroin syringes.
The incubation period of the disease: from 1 to 7 days.
Symptoms:
- rash and skin ulcers
- Nausea and diarrhea.
- Heat.
- Sore throat.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Muscle pain.
Prevention and treatment of anthrax:
Anthrax vaccines for livestock and humans are available. Veterinary vaccines are used to control anthrax in livestock. Human vaccines are in limited supply and are primarily used to protect selected individuals, with possible occupational exposure to anthrax.
People with anthrax need antibiotics, usually for 60 days, and treatment is most successful if started early.
References:
WHO platform
Canadian Global News newspaper
The Moscow Times newspaper, Russia