Human Anthrax Infects Over 500 in Bangladesh

Anthrax has infected more than 500 people in Bangladesh where the dairy farming regions are reeling under the outbreak of the disease, commented a health official.

Ten districts have confirmed outbreaks of anthrax in humans and cattle, with the total number of people infected rising to 508 across the country, health ministry director Mahmudur Rahman told AFP.

Anthrax - Bacillus - Symptoms - Diagnosis - Treatment - FAQs
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis and spreads when the anthrax spores are inhaled, ingested, or come into contact with the skin lesion on a host.

No humans have died because the cases of human infection consist of cutaneous, or skin, anthrax -- which causes wound-like lesions but is not fatal if treated properly.

"Thirteen new cases of human anthrax have been reported in the last 24 hours. This indicates that the rate of new infections is slowing down," Rahman said.

"The vaccination programme for cattle is having an impact," he said, adding that outbreaks appeared to be localised.

GLEWS - A Worldwide System to Alert Onset of Animal Diseases that are a Threat to Humans
The FAO, the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have initiated a global system called the Global Early Warning and Response System (GLEWS)..

Last week, the health ministry said that 66 people became infected in one day.

Anthrax does not spread directly from one infected human or animal to another, but is spread through spores. Humans can contract anthrax from handling diseased animals or eating infected meat.

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Bangladesh’s current outbreak has spread through the dairy farming districts because of diseased cows being slaughtered and then sold on, officials said.

Hundreds of cows have died, causing panic among farmers and consumers.

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Costs of animal disease outbreaks would increase sharply with urbanization and a growing demand for animal products, warned the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization on Monday.

Anthrax is a potentially lethal bacterium that exists naturally in the soil and commonly infects livestock which ingest or inhale its spores while grazing. It can be transmitted to humans who handle or eat infected animals.

Source-AFP