Bacillus anthracis is typically a disease of plant-eating mammals, although it can affect other animals as well. Among domestic animals, cattle, sheep, and goats have been the most frequent victims. In most industrialized countries, livestock are routinely vaccinated, and cases of anthrax are rare. In developing countries, however, where animal vaccination is not regularly practiced, anthrax in animals is a problem. This is especially so in tropical and sub-tropical environments. In the USA, anthrax cases among animals have been generally limited to the western plains.
Source: http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/anthrax/overview.php
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Cutaneous anthrax
Cutaneous anthrax is an infection of the skin caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis.
How it happens...
1. Initial skin lesion forms
2. Blister
3. Blister breaks down into a black ulcer
4. Ulcer may become infected and painful.
5. A scar forms, dries, and falls off in about two weeks.
In 20% of untreated individuals, the infection may spread to the bloodstream and become fatal.
What are the symptoms?
There are three different types of anthrax.
Cutaneous anthrax-
95 per cent of cases
People handling dead animals
Infection occurs when the bacterium comes into direct contact with a cut or abrasion in the skin.
Inhalation anthrax
Symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a flu-like infection, like fatigue, weakness, fever, cough, and chest pain.
In two to six days the symptoms will worsen. It is so severe, causing breathing problems, sepsis and bleeding. By this time the infection is usually fatal.
Intestinal anthrax
The most rare type of anthrax.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and fever. As the infection becomes more severe , abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and severe diarrhoea, this is the fatal stage of the disease.
Cutaneous anthrax-
95 per cent of cases
People handling dead animals
Infection occurs when the bacterium comes into direct contact with a cut or abrasion in the skin.
Inhalation anthrax
Symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a flu-like infection, like fatigue, weakness, fever, cough, and chest pain.
In two to six days the symptoms will worsen. It is so severe, causing breathing problems, sepsis and bleeding. By this time the infection is usually fatal.
Intestinal anthrax
The most rare type of anthrax.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and fever. As the infection becomes more severe , abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and severe diarrhoea, this is the fatal stage of the disease.
Anthrax video
JUST PRESS THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCREEN!
This video illustrates what anthrax is and how it can enter the body.
This video illustrates what anthrax is and how it can enter the body.
What causes it?
Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by the organism Bacillus anthracis. It can be found in grazing wild and domestic animals, such as cows and sheep. Agricultural regions in which it can found are Asia, Africa, South America, and parts of Europe.
The bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, forms spores that can survive and lay dormant in the environment, for example, in the soil. These spores need a suitable environment to germinate and cause anthrax infection. This environment may be in the skin, lungs or the intestine.
The bacterium, Bacillus anthracis, forms spores that can survive and lay dormant in the environment, for example, in the soil. These spores need a suitable environment to germinate and cause anthrax infection. This environment may be in the skin, lungs or the intestine.
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