ANTHRAX, HUMAN - ARMENIA: (GELARKUNIK), SUSPECTED
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[1]
Date: 20 Oct 2012
Source: Armenian News-News.am [edited]
http://news.am/eng/news/125531.html
Armenia's Ministry of Health received an alarm with respect to suspicious anthrax cases recorded in the Vardenis district of the Gegharkunik region, the ministry informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.
As a result, an epidemiological study was conducted on location, and laboratory research samples were taken from the persons who are suspected of having caught this disease. The results will be known within the next few days. Preventive measures are in progress.
Spokesperson Babken Pipoyan of the Agriculture Ministry's State Service on Food Safety said on Friday [19 Oct 2012] that the last time anthrax was recorded in Armenia was 3 years ago.
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[2]
Date: 20 Oct 2012
Source: Panorama.am [edited]
http://www.panorama.am/en/health/2012/1 ... -zhamanak/
http://www.panorama.am/ru/health/2012/10/20/moh/
Ten people have caught anthrax in Vardenis district of Armenia's Gegharkunik region. They are now in Martuni Medical Center.
Vardan Karapetyan, acting director of the Medical Center, noted that the diagnosis has not yet been confirmed, and only the results of laboratory research will make it possible to determine the disease.
[Byline: Haykakan Zhamanak]
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and
Sabine Zentis
Gut Laach
D-52385 Nideggen
http://www.cvlonghorns.de
[These may be better labelled as suspected cases, not suspicious cases, as the evidence presented to date indicates merely clinical uncertainty. Hopefully, we will discover the reality in due course and the identified source of infection. Past history [see previous reports listed below] would point at the butchering of moribund animals and public sale of the meat. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
Milzbrand - Anthrax
Moderator: Moderatoren
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Birgitt
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Armenien
ANTHRAX, HUMAN - ARMENIA (02): (GELARKUNIK), CONFIRMED
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Date: 22 Oct 2012
Source: Panorama.AM [edited]
http://www.panorama.am/en/health/2012/10/22/moh/
Suspicious cases of anthrax in Vardenis district of Armenia's Gegharkunik region were reported to the Armenian Health Ministry a few days ago. After receiving the report, the ministry [was] ordered to conduct an epidemiologic study and to take preventive measures.
Samples were taken for testing from 15 people hospitalized with suspected anthrax on 17 Oct 2012. According to the Health Ministry, the results of laboratory tests show that an anthrax diagnosis is confirmed only for one patient; non-pathogenic cases of anthrax have been revealed in 9 samples, and 5 samples tested negative. Doctors assess the condition of the patients as satisfactory.
According to the latest data, one person was hospitalized in Yerevan and 21 in Martuni.
Laboratory tests are underway for the rest of samples. Preventive measures are being implemented. The epidemiological situation is under control.
The people who were most at risk for anthrax include farm workers, veterinarians, and tannery and wool workers. Anthrax does not spread from person to person.
--
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Sabine Zentis
Castleview English Longhorns
Gut Laach
D-52385 Nideggen
http://www.cvlonghorns.de
[A parallel report also has 22 people hospitalised: http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/society/32838.html.
A low confirmation rate in suspect anthrax cases is not unusual. My late respected colleague Benyamin Cherkasskiy would tell me that in his experience, one was lucky to get 30 percent confirmation; he found that the best results came from sampling the toxic fluid underneath the lesion. The commonest cause for culture failure with humans is that they self treat with antibiotics before presenting themselves to their physician. And as the vegetative cell is very sensitive to antibiotics, and the majority of hospital clinics cannot do PCR diagnoses, it is "negative."
I have no idea what a "non-pathogenic case of anthrax" might be. If there were no signs of inflammation or lymph node enlargement, there would be no reason to sample nor any site to sample. Something has been lost in the translation. While one might suggest a PCR diagnosis, it is difficult to perceive why the hospital would have a plasmid test to hand when the disease is so infrequent in Armenians.
The only anthrax cases in Armenia have been reported in cattle and humans. Latterly, it was reported by OIE in humans, 2 cases, in 2008; ProMED has reports of human cases (2) in 2006, 2005 (1), 2004 (suspected), 2003 (2), 2001 (18), and 1999 (1). Over the years, there is a pitter-patter of cases. The most recent known livestock outbreaks were in 2007 and 2006, and some 40 dead cows in 2004, plus some dogs died. It is a characteristic of the one-time Soviet countries to emphasise human cases of (suspected) anthrax and to essentially ignore livestock outbreaks; unfortunately, this species bias has persisted, and it reflects a public health non-appreciation of where control must start, by vaccinating livestock, not in expensively hospitalising suspected human cases. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
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http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
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Date: 22 Oct 2012
Source: Panorama.AM [edited]
http://www.panorama.am/en/health/2012/10/22/moh/
Suspicious cases of anthrax in Vardenis district of Armenia's Gegharkunik region were reported to the Armenian Health Ministry a few days ago. After receiving the report, the ministry [was] ordered to conduct an epidemiologic study and to take preventive measures.
Samples were taken for testing from 15 people hospitalized with suspected anthrax on 17 Oct 2012. According to the Health Ministry, the results of laboratory tests show that an anthrax diagnosis is confirmed only for one patient; non-pathogenic cases of anthrax have been revealed in 9 samples, and 5 samples tested negative. Doctors assess the condition of the patients as satisfactory.
According to the latest data, one person was hospitalized in Yerevan and 21 in Martuni.
Laboratory tests are underway for the rest of samples. Preventive measures are being implemented. The epidemiological situation is under control.
The people who were most at risk for anthrax include farm workers, veterinarians, and tannery and wool workers. Anthrax does not spread from person to person.
--
Communicated by
Sabine Zentis
Castleview English Longhorns
Gut Laach
D-52385 Nideggen
http://www.cvlonghorns.de
[A parallel report also has 22 people hospitalised: http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/society/32838.html.
A low confirmation rate in suspect anthrax cases is not unusual. My late respected colleague Benyamin Cherkasskiy would tell me that in his experience, one was lucky to get 30 percent confirmation; he found that the best results came from sampling the toxic fluid underneath the lesion. The commonest cause for culture failure with humans is that they self treat with antibiotics before presenting themselves to their physician. And as the vegetative cell is very sensitive to antibiotics, and the majority of hospital clinics cannot do PCR diagnoses, it is "negative."
I have no idea what a "non-pathogenic case of anthrax" might be. If there were no signs of inflammation or lymph node enlargement, there would be no reason to sample nor any site to sample. Something has been lost in the translation. While one might suggest a PCR diagnosis, it is difficult to perceive why the hospital would have a plasmid test to hand when the disease is so infrequent in Armenians.
The only anthrax cases in Armenia have been reported in cattle and humans. Latterly, it was reported by OIE in humans, 2 cases, in 2008; ProMED has reports of human cases (2) in 2006, 2005 (1), 2004 (suspected), 2003 (2), 2001 (18), and 1999 (1). Over the years, there is a pitter-patter of cases. The most recent known livestock outbreaks were in 2007 and 2006, and some 40 dead cows in 2004, plus some dogs died. It is a characteristic of the one-time Soviet countries to emphasise human cases of (suspected) anthrax and to essentially ignore livestock outbreaks; unfortunately, this species bias has persisted, and it reflects a public health non-appreciation of where control must start, by vaccinating livestock, not in expensively hospitalising suspected human cases. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Armenien
ANTHRAX, HUMAN - ARMENIA (03): (GELARKUNIK) LIVESTOCK SOURCE
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Date: Wed 24 Oct 2012
Source: News.am [edited]
http://news.am/eng/news/125948.html
The source of the recent emergence of anthrax in Armenia was the slaughtering of an animal [presumably a sick cow] in a courtyard of Tsovak village nearby Vardenis district of the Gegharkunik [Gelarkunik] Region, the Agriculture Ministry's Veterinary Inspectorate Chief Hovhannes Mkrtchyan stated during a press conference on Wednesday [24 Oct 2012].
In his words, the alarm was received on 15 Oct 2012, when a man with symptoms of anthrax was taken to hospital. "The circumstances showed that a courtyard [animal] slaughter was carried out, [and] as a result, that man was infected from the meat of the sick animal," Mkrtchyan said.
Hovhannes Mkrtchyan assured that there are no contaminated animals in Tsovak and in the neighboring villages, at present, and vaccinations [of livestock. - Mod.JW] were carried out.
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[I am presuming it was a bovine source because a butchered sick sheep would not have been big enough to have exposed some 22 individuals in this incident. Otherwise it is a classic anthrax event involving humans. Thanks to Susan and Tamas Torok for this report. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/3PYX.]
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A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 24 Oct 2012
Source: News.am [edited]
http://news.am/eng/news/125948.html
The source of the recent emergence of anthrax in Armenia was the slaughtering of an animal [presumably a sick cow] in a courtyard of Tsovak village nearby Vardenis district of the Gegharkunik [Gelarkunik] Region, the Agriculture Ministry's Veterinary Inspectorate Chief Hovhannes Mkrtchyan stated during a press conference on Wednesday [24 Oct 2012].
In his words, the alarm was received on 15 Oct 2012, when a man with symptoms of anthrax was taken to hospital. "The circumstances showed that a courtyard [animal] slaughter was carried out, [and] as a result, that man was infected from the meat of the sick animal," Mkrtchyan said.
Hovhannes Mkrtchyan assured that there are no contaminated animals in Tsovak and in the neighboring villages, at present, and vaccinations [of livestock. - Mod.JW] were carried out.
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ProMED-mail from HealthMap alerts
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[I am presuming it was a bovine source because a butchered sick sheep would not have been big enough to have exposed some 22 individuals in this incident. Otherwise it is a classic anthrax event involving humans. Thanks to Susan and Tamas Torok for this report. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/3PYX.]
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Südafrika, Kruger National Park
ANTHRAX, WILDLIFE - SOUTH AFRICA (03): (KRUGER NATIONAL PARK) HIPPOS
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Date: Mon 5 Nov 2012
Source: South African National Parks [edited]
http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=55360
Anthrax outbreak affects hippos in the Kruger National Park
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The South African National Parks (SANParks) said in a statement today [5 Nov 2012] that the anthrax outbreak that started in late August [2012] in the north of the Kruger National Park (KNP) has claimed the lives of 30 hippopotami in the Letaba and Olifants Rivers in the past 2 weeks. Post mortem results from some of the carcases, suggest they were infected by the bacteria.
Reynold Thakhuli, spokesman for SANParks said a total of 30 hippo carcases have been found up to now and Park Rangers are closely monitoring the situation. "Members of the public are urged to report any sightings to the nearest camp and not to touch the carcases. The State Veterinarians are busy examining 6 carcases that were found over the weekend [3-4 Nov 2012] and will issue the results as soon as they're available."
According to Thakhuli anthrax outbreaks are a natural occurrence in the northern Kruger National Park and occur more or less every 10 years, apparently related to the end of dry cycles. It usually occurs during the dry months of the year. Since 1960, 8 major anthrax outbreaks have occurred in the KNP (1960, 1970, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2010 and 2012).
It is also closely linked to population density -- when certain species like kudu and hippo reach high densities then anthrax spreads more rapidly. The disease is also the only disease in KNP that needs to kill its host in order to propagate itself. In all the outbreaks before the disease naturally dissipates when the rains start and when animal densities decrease, so it can be considered a "natural regulator" of animal densities. The current outbreak has seen relatively low numbers of cases in relation to population sizes of species affected.
During the previous outbreak of 2010 in the Nxanatseni region it is estimated that approximately 2000 animals died.
"The Kruger National Park rangers are currently monitoring the situation on a daily basis to determine if they are more carcases in the rivers," concludes Thakhuli.
--
Communicated by
Michael Owen
[Our thanks to Michael for forwarding this report and the following news report:
http://www.examiner.com/article/thirty- ... ional-park
It is now November and these deaths were first noted in August. Hopefully the KNP people have an official confirmation, or not, by now. We look forward to hearing from them. Earlier outbreaks this year (2012) were reported in Roan antelopes (ProMED-mail post 20120829.1271244) and buffaloes (ProMED-mail posting 20120906.1283767).
Anthrax is seen sporadically most years in the KNP, usually affecting kudu and such, but traditionally with severe outbreaks every 10 years or so. For anyone interested there are 2 useful papers on the subject:
Smith KL et al: Meso-scale ecology of anthrax in southern Africa: a pilot study of diversity and clustering. J Appl Microbiol. 1999 Aug; 87(2): 204-7 (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... 871.x/full)
and
Smith KL et al: _Bacillus anthracis_ diversity in Kruger National Park. J Clin Microbiol. 2000 Oct; 38(10): 3780-4 (http://jcm.asm.org/content/38/10/3780.long). - Mod.MHJ]
[Photo of hippos in the Kruger National Park
http://www.roomsforafrica.com/images/kr ... hippos.jpg
- Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/3dyq.]
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A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 5 Nov 2012
Source: South African National Parks [edited]
http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=55360
Anthrax outbreak affects hippos in the Kruger National Park
-----------------------------------------------------------
The South African National Parks (SANParks) said in a statement today [5 Nov 2012] that the anthrax outbreak that started in late August [2012] in the north of the Kruger National Park (KNP) has claimed the lives of 30 hippopotami in the Letaba and Olifants Rivers in the past 2 weeks. Post mortem results from some of the carcases, suggest they were infected by the bacteria.
Reynold Thakhuli, spokesman for SANParks said a total of 30 hippo carcases have been found up to now and Park Rangers are closely monitoring the situation. "Members of the public are urged to report any sightings to the nearest camp and not to touch the carcases. The State Veterinarians are busy examining 6 carcases that were found over the weekend [3-4 Nov 2012] and will issue the results as soon as they're available."
According to Thakhuli anthrax outbreaks are a natural occurrence in the northern Kruger National Park and occur more or less every 10 years, apparently related to the end of dry cycles. It usually occurs during the dry months of the year. Since 1960, 8 major anthrax outbreaks have occurred in the KNP (1960, 1970, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2010 and 2012).
It is also closely linked to population density -- when certain species like kudu and hippo reach high densities then anthrax spreads more rapidly. The disease is also the only disease in KNP that needs to kill its host in order to propagate itself. In all the outbreaks before the disease naturally dissipates when the rains start and when animal densities decrease, so it can be considered a "natural regulator" of animal densities. The current outbreak has seen relatively low numbers of cases in relation to population sizes of species affected.
During the previous outbreak of 2010 in the Nxanatseni region it is estimated that approximately 2000 animals died.
"The Kruger National Park rangers are currently monitoring the situation on a daily basis to determine if they are more carcases in the rivers," concludes Thakhuli.
--
Communicated by
Michael Owen
[Our thanks to Michael for forwarding this report and the following news report:
http://www.examiner.com/article/thirty- ... ional-park
It is now November and these deaths were first noted in August. Hopefully the KNP people have an official confirmation, or not, by now. We look forward to hearing from them. Earlier outbreaks this year (2012) were reported in Roan antelopes (ProMED-mail post 20120829.1271244) and buffaloes (ProMED-mail posting 20120906.1283767).
Anthrax is seen sporadically most years in the KNP, usually affecting kudu and such, but traditionally with severe outbreaks every 10 years or so. For anyone interested there are 2 useful papers on the subject:
Smith KL et al: Meso-scale ecology of anthrax in southern Africa: a pilot study of diversity and clustering. J Appl Microbiol. 1999 Aug; 87(2): 204-7 (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... 871.x/full)
and
Smith KL et al: _Bacillus anthracis_ diversity in Kruger National Park. J Clin Microbiol. 2000 Oct; 38(10): 3780-4 (http://jcm.asm.org/content/38/10/3780.long). - Mod.MHJ]
[Photo of hippos in the Kruger National Park
http://www.roomsforafrica.com/images/kr ... hippos.jpg
- Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/3dyq.]
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Südafrika, Kruger National Park
ANTHRAX, WILDLIFE - SOUTH AFRICA (04): KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, HIPPOS AND ANTELOPE
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Date: 7 Nov 2012
Source: IOL News - The Mercury [edited]
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/ ... JqWgGeD8_c
A serious outbreak of the highly contagious wildlife disease anthrax has wiped out nearly 50 percent of the rare roan antelope population and scores of hippos in the Kruger National Park. This is the 8th major outbreak of the disease since the early 1960s in the country's flagship national park.
SA National Parks confirmed this week that 30 dead hippos had been found in the Letaba and Olifants rivers over the past 2 weeks. Post-mortem examination results from some of the carcasses suggested they were infected with the anthrax bacteria.
Two weeks ago, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa revealed that most of the roan antelope had been wiped out by anthrax in a protective breeding enclosure inside the park during August 2012. Responding to queries in parliament, Molewa said that 45 roan antelope had died in the Capricorn breeding enclosure, leaving just 13 survivors in this camp, another 35 in the Nwaswishumbe breeding enclosure, and an estimated 40 to 50 free-roaming animals.
SANParks said this week that the anthrax outbreak had begun in late August 2012. Visitors were urged to report any sightings of dead hippos to the nearest camp but not to touch the bodies.
"Anthrax is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium _Bacillus anthracis_. It is thought that the disease is spread mainly by vultures and blowflies," said SANParks spokesman Reynold Thakhuli. "Vultures are immune to anthrax and spread the disease by consuming contaminated meat from affected carcasses and then defecating in water where they regularly drink or bathe [but see comment below]. The toxins released by the bacteria when they sporulate are also fatal to some species."
Thakhuli said anthrax outbreaks were "a natural occurrence" in the north of the park and occurred more or less every 10 years. The outbreaks seemed to be related to the end of dry cycles, while the disease seemed to be closely linked to population density. When certain species like kudu and hippo reach high densities, anthrax spreads more rapidly.
"This is the only disease in Kruger National Park that needs to kill its host in order to propagate itself. In all the outbreaks before, the disease naturally dissipated when the rains started and when animal densities decreased, so it can be considered a natural regulator of animal densities. ... The rangers are monitoring the situation," Thakhuli said.
During the previous outbreak, in the Nxanatseni region in 2010, it was estimated that 2000 animals died [see ProMED archive below].
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ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[It is interesting to note that when the experienced park staff retire, as they have done, the rising youngsters have to relearn what was well known before.
Vultures have long been known to play a part in the spread of anthrax in the African national parks, but they do not do it with their faeces. Passage through the acid vulture stomach kills all the vegetative cells, and their faeces are, therefore, spore-free. I have studied plenty of vulture scat, and there are no spores therein, but vulture vomit is a beautiful positive sample to have, as one would expect. The trouble the vultures cause is that the birds actively and rapidly eviscerate any carcass and emerge covered in blood. Satisfied, they will make their way to a favoured water-hole or cattle trough to wash off; this can sometimes be some distance away. Thus, they contaminate these watering places, putting any domestic or wild stock at risk, near or far.
The significant loss of penned roan antelope matches what we have seen in Texas and Colorado this summer 2012. It is a killer in these circumstances. Let us hope that the KNP veterinarians get these roan antelopes vaccinated and continue it until their release. Penned antelope may be theoretically "wild," but they can run through a chute and be vaccinated. - Mod.MHJ]
[Photo of roan antelope:
http://www.shoarns.com/Roan%20Antelope.JPG
- Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1EPe, http://healthmap.org/r/1EPe.]
********************************************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: 7 Nov 2012
Source: IOL News - The Mercury [edited]
http://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/ ... JqWgGeD8_c
A serious outbreak of the highly contagious wildlife disease anthrax has wiped out nearly 50 percent of the rare roan antelope population and scores of hippos in the Kruger National Park. This is the 8th major outbreak of the disease since the early 1960s in the country's flagship national park.
SA National Parks confirmed this week that 30 dead hippos had been found in the Letaba and Olifants rivers over the past 2 weeks. Post-mortem examination results from some of the carcasses suggested they were infected with the anthrax bacteria.
Two weeks ago, Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa revealed that most of the roan antelope had been wiped out by anthrax in a protective breeding enclosure inside the park during August 2012. Responding to queries in parliament, Molewa said that 45 roan antelope had died in the Capricorn breeding enclosure, leaving just 13 survivors in this camp, another 35 in the Nwaswishumbe breeding enclosure, and an estimated 40 to 50 free-roaming animals.
SANParks said this week that the anthrax outbreak had begun in late August 2012. Visitors were urged to report any sightings of dead hippos to the nearest camp but not to touch the bodies.
"Anthrax is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium _Bacillus anthracis_. It is thought that the disease is spread mainly by vultures and blowflies," said SANParks spokesman Reynold Thakhuli. "Vultures are immune to anthrax and spread the disease by consuming contaminated meat from affected carcasses and then defecating in water where they regularly drink or bathe [but see comment below]. The toxins released by the bacteria when they sporulate are also fatal to some species."
Thakhuli said anthrax outbreaks were "a natural occurrence" in the north of the park and occurred more or less every 10 years. The outbreaks seemed to be related to the end of dry cycles, while the disease seemed to be closely linked to population density. When certain species like kudu and hippo reach high densities, anthrax spreads more rapidly.
"This is the only disease in Kruger National Park that needs to kill its host in order to propagate itself. In all the outbreaks before, the disease naturally dissipated when the rains started and when animal densities decreased, so it can be considered a natural regulator of animal densities. ... The rangers are monitoring the situation," Thakhuli said.
During the previous outbreak, in the Nxanatseni region in 2010, it was estimated that 2000 animals died [see ProMED archive below].
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[It is interesting to note that when the experienced park staff retire, as they have done, the rising youngsters have to relearn what was well known before.
Vultures have long been known to play a part in the spread of anthrax in the African national parks, but they do not do it with their faeces. Passage through the acid vulture stomach kills all the vegetative cells, and their faeces are, therefore, spore-free. I have studied plenty of vulture scat, and there are no spores therein, but vulture vomit is a beautiful positive sample to have, as one would expect. The trouble the vultures cause is that the birds actively and rapidly eviscerate any carcass and emerge covered in blood. Satisfied, they will make their way to a favoured water-hole or cattle trough to wash off; this can sometimes be some distance away. Thus, they contaminate these watering places, putting any domestic or wild stock at risk, near or far.
The significant loss of penned roan antelope matches what we have seen in Texas and Colorado this summer 2012. It is a killer in these circumstances. Let us hope that the KNP veterinarians get these roan antelopes vaccinated and continue it until their release. Penned antelope may be theoretically "wild," but they can run through a chute and be vaccinated. - Mod.MHJ]
[Photo of roan antelope:
http://www.shoarns.com/Roan%20Antelope.JPG
- Mod.JW
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1EPe, http://healthmap.org/r/1EPe.]
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Armenien
ANTHRAX - ARMENIA (05): (KOTAYK) HUMAN, BOVINE
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Tue 20 Nov 2012
Source: Aysor.am [edited]
http://www.aysor.am/en/news/2012/11/20/sibiryan-illy/
Anthrax cases grow
------------------
[A dead cow was] noticed in the Zovuni district of Kotayk region on [13 Nov 2012]. Sampling was carried out and was sent [for expert analysis]. The spokesperson for the State Food Security Service Babken Pipoyan told Aysor.am today [20 Nov 2012] it was found out that the animal was infected with anthrax.
He also added that on Sunday [18 Nov 2012] in Hrazdan city there has been recorded another case of anthrax in Akunk district [possibly human this time. - Mod.MHJ]
B Pipoyan also said that the necessary measures are being carried out and the additional information will be provided later.
Cases of anthrax had been recorded in Tavush, Gegharkunik, and Armavir regions.
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[To find Kotayk region, go to http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwe ... l_2002.jpg. It is to the immediate north of the capital Yerevan.
Confusingly there appear to be 2 Zovuni's in Aparani Shrjan http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AM/01/Zovuni.html and http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AM/01/Zovuni2.html; and Hrazdan can be found at http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AM/05/Hrazdan.html. All are in northern Kotayk.
Such an increase in anthrax outbreaks so late in the year and so widespread over Armenia -- in 4 regions -- makes me wonder whether we are seeing a livestock feed related series associated with the use of contaminated bone meal. Anthrax in Armenia is, from the official reports to OIE, a sporadic event and has been absent from reports in the last few years. Which is not to say it hasn't happened, but it does suggest that we are not witnessing a sudden surge in contaminated grazing, outside the normal summer season for this disease in livestock. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
**********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: Tue 20 Nov 2012
Source: Aysor.am [edited]
http://www.aysor.am/en/news/2012/11/20/sibiryan-illy/
Anthrax cases grow
------------------
[A dead cow was] noticed in the Zovuni district of Kotayk region on [13 Nov 2012]. Sampling was carried out and was sent [for expert analysis]. The spokesperson for the State Food Security Service Babken Pipoyan told Aysor.am today [20 Nov 2012] it was found out that the animal was infected with anthrax.
He also added that on Sunday [18 Nov 2012] in Hrazdan city there has been recorded another case of anthrax in Akunk district [possibly human this time. - Mod.MHJ]
B Pipoyan also said that the necessary measures are being carried out and the additional information will be provided later.
Cases of anthrax had been recorded in Tavush, Gegharkunik, and Armavir regions.
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[To find Kotayk region, go to http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwe ... l_2002.jpg. It is to the immediate north of the capital Yerevan.
Confusingly there appear to be 2 Zovuni's in Aparani Shrjan http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AM/01/Zovuni.html and http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AM/01/Zovuni2.html; and Hrazdan can be found at http://www.fallingrain.com/world/AM/05/Hrazdan.html. All are in northern Kotayk.
Such an increase in anthrax outbreaks so late in the year and so widespread over Armenia -- in 4 regions -- makes me wonder whether we are seeing a livestock feed related series associated with the use of contaminated bone meal. Anthrax in Armenia is, from the official reports to OIE, a sporadic event and has been absent from reports in the last few years. Which is not to say it hasn't happened, but it does suggest that we are not witnessing a sudden surge in contaminated grazing, outside the normal summer season for this disease in livestock. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Armenien
ANTHRAX - ARMENIA (06): (KOTAYK)
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Date: 21 Nov 2012
Source: PanArmenian.Net [edited]
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/133424/
Hraparak Paper: new cases of anthrax reported in Armenia
--------------------------------------------------------
According to Hraparak paper, the Agriculture Ministry's State Food Security Service has reported new cases of anthrax in Armenia's Akunk district in the towns of Hrazdan and Zovuni.
"Quarantine has been imposed in Akunk district. 4 citizens have been hospitalized, with anthrax bacteria found in the laboratory analyses. The patients' condition is reported as stable," the paper says.
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[This is but a continuation of the previous report (see 20121121.1418558) of a single human case. There are now 4, and confirmed by laboratory analysis. To find Kotayk region, go to http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwe ... l_2002.jpg. It is to the immediate north of the capital Yerevan. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
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Date: 21 Nov 2012
Source: PanArmenian.Net [edited]
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/133424/
Hraparak Paper: new cases of anthrax reported in Armenia
--------------------------------------------------------
According to Hraparak paper, the Agriculture Ministry's State Food Security Service has reported new cases of anthrax in Armenia's Akunk district in the towns of Hrazdan and Zovuni.
"Quarantine has been imposed in Akunk district. 4 citizens have been hospitalized, with anthrax bacteria found in the laboratory analyses. The patients' condition is reported as stable," the paper says.
--
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[This is but a continuation of the previous report (see 20121121.1418558) of a single human case. There are now 4, and confirmed by laboratory analysis. To find Kotayk region, go to http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwe ... l_2002.jpg. It is to the immediate north of the capital Yerevan. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Armenien
ANTHRAX - ARMENIA (08): INCREASED HUMAN CASES
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Date: 4 Dec 2012
Source: Vestnik/News Armenia [edited]
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/society/34482.html
Anthrax outbreak in Armenia
---------------------------
A total of 55 cases with anthrax symptoms have been registered in Armenia. 10 of them have already been confirmed.
In October [2012], 21 people with anthrax symptoms were hospitalized in the Gegarkunik Region of Armenia. A local resident of Ushi in the Aragots Region was hospitalized with anthrax in early November. Animals with anthrax were registered in the Tavush and Armavir Regions.
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[This is a terse report. To date we have a single OIE report of 2 outbreaks in cattle in Gegarkunik region, plus side comments of outbreaks in Tavush and Armavir regions, whereas there are now multiple human cases in Gegarkunik, Aragots, and Kotayk regions. Contaminated meat can be marketed some distance from where the sick animal was butchered. And in this way one cow can infect 10, 20, 30 humans.
For a map of Armenia go to: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwe ... l_2002.jpg. The named regions are all in central Armenia. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
*********************************************
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Date: 4 Dec 2012
Source: Vestnik/News Armenia [edited]
http://vestnikkavkaza.net/news/society/34482.html
Anthrax outbreak in Armenia
---------------------------
A total of 55 cases with anthrax symptoms have been registered in Armenia. 10 of them have already been confirmed.
In October [2012], 21 people with anthrax symptoms were hospitalized in the Gegarkunik Region of Armenia. A local resident of Ushi in the Aragots Region was hospitalized with anthrax in early November. Animals with anthrax were registered in the Tavush and Armavir Regions.
--
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[This is a terse report. To date we have a single OIE report of 2 outbreaks in cattle in Gegarkunik region, plus side comments of outbreaks in Tavush and Armavir regions, whereas there are now multiple human cases in Gegarkunik, Aragots, and Kotayk regions. Contaminated meat can be marketed some distance from where the sick animal was butchered. And in this way one cow can infect 10, 20, 30 humans.
For a map of Armenia go to: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwe ... l_2002.jpg. The named regions are all in central Armenia. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Armenien
ANTHRAX - ARMENIA (09): POSSIBLE VACCINE FAILURE, REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
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Date: 8 Dec 2012
From: Tomas Torok <ttorok@lbl.gov> [edited]
The latest word from Armenia, from Armenian colleagues who are involved in public health, is that 4 of the animals that tested positive for _Bacillus anthracis_ were [previously] vaccinated. This is probably nothing special but might hint that something is not right, either with the vaccine, the vaccination schedule, or the records.
--
Tamas Torok
<ttorok@lbl.gov>
[Tamas has been involved in projects in Armenia for some time now, so we can regard his comment as having some weight. If our Armenian readers can flesh out this preliminary information, it would be of value to us all.
While livestock vaccination with Sterne and its new Russian equivalent are normally very effective, not all vaccines in use are as good. And some like the Argentine vaccines consistently under-perform for reasons which defy investigation. A common cause of under-performance is when cows are receiving mastitis treatment when vaccinated with a competent vaccine; remember it is a live vaccine and is antibiotic-sensitive. So when one has an outbreak in the face of vaccination, it is well worthwhile investigating what might have gone wrong, whether it is the vaccine's fault, animal management, faulty animal immunogenesis, just a duff batch of vaccine, or the commonest everyday cause: the farmer had failed to vaccinate the batch of animals that came down, either through laziness, lack of funds, or that they were recently bought, and he hadn't got around to doing it yet. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
*************************************************************************
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Date: 8 Dec 2012
From: Tomas Torok <ttorok@lbl.gov> [edited]
The latest word from Armenia, from Armenian colleagues who are involved in public health, is that 4 of the animals that tested positive for _Bacillus anthracis_ were [previously] vaccinated. This is probably nothing special but might hint that something is not right, either with the vaccine, the vaccination schedule, or the records.
--
Tamas Torok
<ttorok@lbl.gov>
[Tamas has been involved in projects in Armenia for some time now, so we can regard his comment as having some weight. If our Armenian readers can flesh out this preliminary information, it would be of value to us all.
While livestock vaccination with Sterne and its new Russian equivalent are normally very effective, not all vaccines in use are as good. And some like the Argentine vaccines consistently under-perform for reasons which defy investigation. A common cause of under-performance is when cows are receiving mastitis treatment when vaccinated with a competent vaccine; remember it is a live vaccine and is antibiotic-sensitive. So when one has an outbreak in the face of vaccination, it is well worthwhile investigating what might have gone wrong, whether it is the vaccine's fault, animal management, faulty animal immunogenesis, just a duff batch of vaccine, or the commonest everyday cause: the farmer had failed to vaccinate the batch of animals that came down, either through laziness, lack of funds, or that they were recently bought, and he hadn't got around to doing it yet. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Armenien
ANTHRAX - ARMENIA (10): (GELARKUNIK)
************************************
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Date: 11 Dec 2012
Source: News.AM [edited]
http://news.am/eng/news/131978.htm
Another suspected case of anthrax has been reported in Armenia's Martuni region. The patient is hospitalized, and doctors say the patient is in satisfactory condition, the "Hayots Ashkharh" daily reports.
"All suspected cases except for the last one with typical symptoms of anthrax have already been treated [in Armenia]. As a result of laboratory testing, 10 of the [previous] 55 suspected cases that were reported have been confirmed. There were no false symptoms, because the anthrax wound differs. In addition, the residents are so aware and so afraid that they see a doctor for every odd symptom. The [Agriculture Ministry's] State Service on Food Safety Press Secretary, Babken Pipoyan, noted that no new cases of anthrax had been reported among animals, so the [nearly 2-month long] supervision of meat shops has been lifted," Hayots Ashkharh writes.
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[It is a peculiarity of clinical anthrax that onset can be delayed for weeks, even months. The reason why is obscure and must involve "latent" infection, but what we mean by that, I am not sure. In the Sverdlovsk incident in 1979, a street person died 6 weeks after the epidemic had seemingly ceased. As no new cases have been noted in livestock since late October 2012 [see 20121128.1428669], this case is either delayed in onset, or some contaminated meat was recovered from a freezer.
For a map of Armenia, see: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwe ... l_2002.jpg. The named regions are all in central Armenia. If you visit: http://news.am/eng/search/?skey=anthrax, you can see 16 Armenian news reports going back as far as 20 Oct 2012.
Prior to this series of human and livestock cases, the disease had only been reported in cattle, with 4 outbreaks in 1999, 4 in 2000, one in 2001, none in 2002, not specified in 2003 and 2004, none in 2005, one in 2006, not specified in 2007, and none up to and including 2011; with 4 human cases in 1998, 1999 (1), 2000 (2), 2001 (18), 2002 (3), 2003 (2), 2004 (0), 2005 (1), 2006 (2), and 2008 (2); no zoonotic disease was reported in 2007.
Up until 2007, significant numbers of cattle, sheep and goats, horses and pigs were vaccinated each year. Latterly, vaccination numbers have fallen off. Whether this is just a failure to vaccinate or just more targeted programmes is unclear. If the cause or causes for these outbreaks could be determined, it would be possible to then reduce the annual incidence to zero and forget about it. The way these outbreaks are scattered about in central Armenia so late in the year makes me suspect that contaminated livestock feed might have been involved. If I were correct, and it would be possible to check by testing residual feeds now and in the future, prevention would be straightforward. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
************************************
A ProMED-mail post
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International Society for Infectious Diseases
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Date: 11 Dec 2012
Source: News.AM [edited]
http://news.am/eng/news/131978.htm
Another suspected case of anthrax has been reported in Armenia's Martuni region. The patient is hospitalized, and doctors say the patient is in satisfactory condition, the "Hayots Ashkharh" daily reports.
"All suspected cases except for the last one with typical symptoms of anthrax have already been treated [in Armenia]. As a result of laboratory testing, 10 of the [previous] 55 suspected cases that were reported have been confirmed. There were no false symptoms, because the anthrax wound differs. In addition, the residents are so aware and so afraid that they see a doctor for every odd symptom. The [Agriculture Ministry's] State Service on Food Safety Press Secretary, Babken Pipoyan, noted that no new cases of anthrax had been reported among animals, so the [nearly 2-month long] supervision of meat shops has been lifted," Hayots Ashkharh writes.
--
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ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
[It is a peculiarity of clinical anthrax that onset can be delayed for weeks, even months. The reason why is obscure and must involve "latent" infection, but what we mean by that, I am not sure. In the Sverdlovsk incident in 1979, a street person died 6 weeks after the epidemic had seemingly ceased. As no new cases have been noted in livestock since late October 2012 [see 20121128.1428669], this case is either delayed in onset, or some contaminated meat was recovered from a freezer.
For a map of Armenia, see: http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/commonwe ... l_2002.jpg. The named regions are all in central Armenia. If you visit: http://news.am/eng/search/?skey=anthrax, you can see 16 Armenian news reports going back as far as 20 Oct 2012.
Prior to this series of human and livestock cases, the disease had only been reported in cattle, with 4 outbreaks in 1999, 4 in 2000, one in 2001, none in 2002, not specified in 2003 and 2004, none in 2005, one in 2006, not specified in 2007, and none up to and including 2011; with 4 human cases in 1998, 1999 (1), 2000 (2), 2001 (18), 2002 (3), 2003 (2), 2004 (0), 2005 (1), 2006 (2), and 2008 (2); no zoonotic disease was reported in 2007.
Up until 2007, significant numbers of cattle, sheep and goats, horses and pigs were vaccinated each year. Latterly, vaccination numbers have fallen off. Whether this is just a failure to vaccinate or just more targeted programmes is unclear. If the cause or causes for these outbreaks could be determined, it would be possible to then reduce the annual incidence to zero and forget about it. The way these outbreaks are scattered about in central Armenia so late in the year makes me suspect that contaminated livestock feed might have been involved. If I were correct, and it would be possible to check by testing residual feeds now and in the future, prevention would be straightforward. - Mod.MHJ
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail map can be accessed at: http://healthmap.org/r/1HT_.]
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Zimbabwe
ANTHRAX - ZIMBABWE: (MANICALAND), HUMAN, LIVESTOCK
**************************************************
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Date: Thu 3 Jan 2013
Source: Manica Post [edited]
http://www.manicapost.com/index.php?opt ... e&id=26639
Several villagers in Masvosva, Makoni District [Manicaland province], contracted anthrax after butchering infected cattle and some could be endangering their lives by depending on unscientific methods to cure the hemorrhagic infection.
Though no immediate reports of human deaths were recorded, sources at Rusape District Hospital confirmed more than 20 hospitalised cases of anthrax following consumption of infected carcasses.
The District Medical Officer Dr Mohammed Khaled confirmed the developments, but said there were no deaths. "Yes, such cases were recorded from our clinics; the victims were treated and discharged. There were no deaths," said Dr Khaled.
Dr Khaled dissuaded members of the public from consuming meat from animals whose cause of death is unknown. Humans usually get anthrax through direct contact with infected livestock, often when spores get into a cut on the skin or eating infected carcasses. Without treatment, anthrax can be fatal, but early treatment with antibiotics is very effective. Anthrax has killed hundreds of animals mostly in the communal part of districts and the situation that was compounded by ignorance by farmers who concealed their animal deaths from veterinary authorities fearing arrest.
The latest outbreak was first noticed when infected villagers sought medication at Masvosva Clinic and it resultantly emerged that cattle in the area started dying as early as October [2012], but farmers were not reporting the sporadic deaths for timely vaccine intervention to the veterinary authorities. Veterinary authorities only moved in after being advised of anthrax outbreak in patients from health authorities in the district. The Makoni district veterinary officer Dr Kupa Hwana confirmed the outbreak, but bemoaned lack of cooperation from farmers.
"As a department we rarely see infected animals because they die so quickly. We rely on information from farmers. The problem we face is that the cattle die in a matter of hours with no symptoms and if the famers conceal such information, we get stuck. We are having a situation where farmers eat infected meat, and when we ask, they deny that their cattle are dying. It was only when they eventually fell sick and approached the nearby health centres that it was discovered that it was anthrax," he said.
Dr Hwana dissuaded farmers from slaughtering sick animals, adding that dead ones must be properly buried to avoid the spread of the disease. Dr Hwana said the movement of cattle from these affected areas has been suspended with immediate effect, and those caught moving animals will be penalised because the spread of the disease is partially blamed on illegal animal movements.
"We have moved in to Masvosva and the neighbouring areas and at the same time conscientising people not eat meat from dead animals. We are also educating farmers on the need to cooperate with our offices to ensure that when similar cases happen we are swiftly advised so that we can save the situation. Farmers must not conceal any information regarding animal health from our officials. We have also banned the movement of animals from that area as a precautionary measure.
"The carcasses of suspected anthrax cases should never be opened and the meat should never be consumed. Should a case of anthrax occur on your farm, you may help to stop the spread of infection by burning or burying dead animals, and disinfecting the place using the most effective disinfectants like quicklime, formalin, or caustic soda," said Dr Hwana.
Anthrax periodically breaks out in Zimbabwe, where it ends up spreading from cattle to people as people consume meat from infected animals. Natural anthrax is endemic in Zimbabwe where its bacillus spores can live for decades in dry soil and are ingested by animals ruminating for remnants of vegetation in the driest months of September and October. Anthrax outbreaks happen occasionally in livestock herds and wild animals in Zimbabwe, usually in the Gonarezhou area.
The veterinary department is suffering from perennial shortage of vaccines and farmers are being encouraged to purchase their own vaccines.
--
Communicated by:
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<promed@promedmail.org>
[This report points up a number of major deficiencies in the Zimbabwe animal control and surveillance programme for anthrax. And inter alia it is an African version of the similar programmes in Soviet Russia. To get possible anthrax cases reported promptly there has to be a positive attitude by the government services, even better with subsidised responses and benefits.
If there is any hint of criminal action rural folk go silent and when human cases are investigated, tell all sorts of tales to cover up what really happened. Thus the Russian claims of human cutaneous cases from farm workers hoeing cabbages.
And this Zimbabwean lengthy account is telling that vaccination, a vital preventative action with this livestock disease, is limited to one short sentence at the very end. In poverty stricken rural areas you cannot, repeat cannot, depend on the owners to vaccinate their animals. Sterne vaccine is possibly the cheapest vaccine in the world and it is effective. The absence of any vaccine unfortunately reflects the bankrupt government services in Zimbabwe. 40-50 years ago anthrax was of trivial concern as there was an effective government veterinary service and the commercial farms made sure their high producing stock were covered.
To find a description of Makoni District in Manicaland in northeast Zimbabwe, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makoni_District. - Mod.MHJ
Maps of Zimbabwe can be seen at http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/ma ... mbabwe.pdf and http://healthmap.org/r/4IuW. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
**************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Thu 3 Jan 2013
Source: Manica Post [edited]
http://www.manicapost.com/index.php?opt ... e&id=26639
Several villagers in Masvosva, Makoni District [Manicaland province], contracted anthrax after butchering infected cattle and some could be endangering their lives by depending on unscientific methods to cure the hemorrhagic infection.
Though no immediate reports of human deaths were recorded, sources at Rusape District Hospital confirmed more than 20 hospitalised cases of anthrax following consumption of infected carcasses.
The District Medical Officer Dr Mohammed Khaled confirmed the developments, but said there were no deaths. "Yes, such cases were recorded from our clinics; the victims were treated and discharged. There were no deaths," said Dr Khaled.
Dr Khaled dissuaded members of the public from consuming meat from animals whose cause of death is unknown. Humans usually get anthrax through direct contact with infected livestock, often when spores get into a cut on the skin or eating infected carcasses. Without treatment, anthrax can be fatal, but early treatment with antibiotics is very effective. Anthrax has killed hundreds of animals mostly in the communal part of districts and the situation that was compounded by ignorance by farmers who concealed their animal deaths from veterinary authorities fearing arrest.
The latest outbreak was first noticed when infected villagers sought medication at Masvosva Clinic and it resultantly emerged that cattle in the area started dying as early as October [2012], but farmers were not reporting the sporadic deaths for timely vaccine intervention to the veterinary authorities. Veterinary authorities only moved in after being advised of anthrax outbreak in patients from health authorities in the district. The Makoni district veterinary officer Dr Kupa Hwana confirmed the outbreak, but bemoaned lack of cooperation from farmers.
"As a department we rarely see infected animals because they die so quickly. We rely on information from farmers. The problem we face is that the cattle die in a matter of hours with no symptoms and if the famers conceal such information, we get stuck. We are having a situation where farmers eat infected meat, and when we ask, they deny that their cattle are dying. It was only when they eventually fell sick and approached the nearby health centres that it was discovered that it was anthrax," he said.
Dr Hwana dissuaded farmers from slaughtering sick animals, adding that dead ones must be properly buried to avoid the spread of the disease. Dr Hwana said the movement of cattle from these affected areas has been suspended with immediate effect, and those caught moving animals will be penalised because the spread of the disease is partially blamed on illegal animal movements.
"We have moved in to Masvosva and the neighbouring areas and at the same time conscientising people not eat meat from dead animals. We are also educating farmers on the need to cooperate with our offices to ensure that when similar cases happen we are swiftly advised so that we can save the situation. Farmers must not conceal any information regarding animal health from our officials. We have also banned the movement of animals from that area as a precautionary measure.
"The carcasses of suspected anthrax cases should never be opened and the meat should never be consumed. Should a case of anthrax occur on your farm, you may help to stop the spread of infection by burning or burying dead animals, and disinfecting the place using the most effective disinfectants like quicklime, formalin, or caustic soda," said Dr Hwana.
Anthrax periodically breaks out in Zimbabwe, where it ends up spreading from cattle to people as people consume meat from infected animals. Natural anthrax is endemic in Zimbabwe where its bacillus spores can live for decades in dry soil and are ingested by animals ruminating for remnants of vegetation in the driest months of September and October. Anthrax outbreaks happen occasionally in livestock herds and wild animals in Zimbabwe, usually in the Gonarezhou area.
The veterinary department is suffering from perennial shortage of vaccines and farmers are being encouraged to purchase their own vaccines.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[This report points up a number of major deficiencies in the Zimbabwe animal control and surveillance programme for anthrax. And inter alia it is an African version of the similar programmes in Soviet Russia. To get possible anthrax cases reported promptly there has to be a positive attitude by the government services, even better with subsidised responses and benefits.
If there is any hint of criminal action rural folk go silent and when human cases are investigated, tell all sorts of tales to cover up what really happened. Thus the Russian claims of human cutaneous cases from farm workers hoeing cabbages.
And this Zimbabwean lengthy account is telling that vaccination, a vital preventative action with this livestock disease, is limited to one short sentence at the very end. In poverty stricken rural areas you cannot, repeat cannot, depend on the owners to vaccinate their animals. Sterne vaccine is possibly the cheapest vaccine in the world and it is effective. The absence of any vaccine unfortunately reflects the bankrupt government services in Zimbabwe. 40-50 years ago anthrax was of trivial concern as there was an effective government veterinary service and the commercial farms made sure their high producing stock were covered.
To find a description of Makoni District in Manicaland in northeast Zimbabwe, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makoni_District. - Mod.MHJ
Maps of Zimbabwe can be seen at http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/ma ... mbabwe.pdf and http://healthmap.org/r/4IuW. - Sr.Tech.Ed.MJ]
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Milzbrand - Anthrax in Zimbabwe
ANTHRAX - ZIMBABWE (02): (MANICALAND) HUMAN, LIVESTOCK
******************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
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Date: 11 Jan 2013
Source: Manica Post [edited]
http://www.manicapost.com/index.php?opt ... PGbr-SzKSp
More people contract anthrax in Rusape
--------------------------------
A total of 16 more people in Rusape are at the risk of contracting anthrax after consuming infected meat following the outbreak of the hemorrhagic infection in the Masvosva area.
So far 20 cases have been confirmed and 16 others are said to be at risk of the infection according to records at Rusape General Hospital -- bringing nearly to 40 the number of people likely to be affected by the consumption of meat infected by the killer disease.
Outgoing Rusape District Medical Superintendent, Dr Mohammed Khaled, confirmed the findings, but said the situation was under control. "According to the report we got, 16 more people are at risk because they are suspected to have eaten the same meat. The area is still under surveillance because more people could be at risk. To date, 20 cases have been confirmed, and investigations point out that another 16 others are at risk," he said. Humans usually get anthrax through direct contact with infected livestock, often when spores get into a cut on the skin or eating infected meat. Without treatment, anthrax can be fatal, but early treatment with antibiotics is very effective.
Anthrax has killed hundreds of animals mostly in Masvosva, a situation that was worsened by ignorant farmers who concealed information about their animal's deaths to veterinary authorities fearing arrest.
The veterinary authorities in the district only picked the information about the anthrax outbreak following its detection in patients at Masvosva Clinic. It is understood, however, that cattle in the area started dying as early as October [2012], but farmers were not reporting the sporadic deaths for timely vaccine interventions.
The veterinary authorities have since moved to vaccinate the cattle in Masvosva, Dewedzo and other surrounding areas and embargoed the movement of cattle from these areas to avert the spread of the disease to other areas. Makoni District veterinary officer, Dr Kupahwana, urged farmers to cooperate with his officers on the ground, adding that animal sickness was not an offence.
Dr Kupahwana dissuaded farmers from slaughtering sick animals, adding that dead ones must be properly buried to avoid the spread of the disease. Recently anthrax cases were documented in Buhera, Mutare, Mutasa and Chipinge districts.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Between the delays in getting cattle vaccinated and the epidemic stopping, and the clearance of distributed contaminated beef it will take a while for the human incidences to cease. But with the extent of rural poverty in Zimbabwe we have not seen the last of human cases in that country.
To find a description of Makoni District in Manicaland in northeast Zimbabwe, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makoni_District.
Maps of Zimbabwe can be seen at http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/ma ... mbabwe.pdf and http://healthmap.org/r/4IuW. - Mod.MHJ]
******************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: 11 Jan 2013
Source: Manica Post [edited]
http://www.manicapost.com/index.php?opt ... PGbr-SzKSp
More people contract anthrax in Rusape
--------------------------------
A total of 16 more people in Rusape are at the risk of contracting anthrax after consuming infected meat following the outbreak of the hemorrhagic infection in the Masvosva area.
So far 20 cases have been confirmed and 16 others are said to be at risk of the infection according to records at Rusape General Hospital -- bringing nearly to 40 the number of people likely to be affected by the consumption of meat infected by the killer disease.
Outgoing Rusape District Medical Superintendent, Dr Mohammed Khaled, confirmed the findings, but said the situation was under control. "According to the report we got, 16 more people are at risk because they are suspected to have eaten the same meat. The area is still under surveillance because more people could be at risk. To date, 20 cases have been confirmed, and investigations point out that another 16 others are at risk," he said. Humans usually get anthrax through direct contact with infected livestock, often when spores get into a cut on the skin or eating infected meat. Without treatment, anthrax can be fatal, but early treatment with antibiotics is very effective.
Anthrax has killed hundreds of animals mostly in Masvosva, a situation that was worsened by ignorant farmers who concealed information about their animal's deaths to veterinary authorities fearing arrest.
The veterinary authorities in the district only picked the information about the anthrax outbreak following its detection in patients at Masvosva Clinic. It is understood, however, that cattle in the area started dying as early as October [2012], but farmers were not reporting the sporadic deaths for timely vaccine interventions.
The veterinary authorities have since moved to vaccinate the cattle in Masvosva, Dewedzo and other surrounding areas and embargoed the movement of cattle from these areas to avert the spread of the disease to other areas. Makoni District veterinary officer, Dr Kupahwana, urged farmers to cooperate with his officers on the ground, adding that animal sickness was not an offence.
Dr Kupahwana dissuaded farmers from slaughtering sick animals, adding that dead ones must be properly buried to avoid the spread of the disease. Recently anthrax cases were documented in Buhera, Mutare, Mutasa and Chipinge districts.
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Between the delays in getting cattle vaccinated and the epidemic stopping, and the clearance of distributed contaminated beef it will take a while for the human incidences to cease. But with the extent of rural poverty in Zimbabwe we have not seen the last of human cases in that country.
To find a description of Makoni District in Manicaland in northeast Zimbabwe, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makoni_District.
Maps of Zimbabwe can be seen at http://www.un.org/Depts/Cartographic/ma ... mbabwe.pdf and http://healthmap.org/r/4IuW. - Mod.MHJ]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35244
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- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Milzbrand - Anthrax in Namibia
ANTHRAX - NAMIBIA: (OSHIKOTO) HUMAN, BOVINE
*******************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 21 Jan 2013
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb [edited]
http://reliefweb.int/report/namibia/ant ... s-oshikoto
Anthrax outbreak strikes Oshikoto
---------------------------------
The Oshikoto Regional Health Directorate is hard at work to trace thousands of people believed to have been exposed to anthrax-infected beef. 2 people have already died of the disease and 3000 are said to be at risk of anthrax infection. The regional health directorate has sent officials out in the field to trace people who may have consumed the meat of cattle believed to have died of anthrax.
By Friday afternoon [18 Jan 2013] the Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital was already swamped by hundreds of people from Omadhiya, a village near the Onandjokwe Hospital and other areas in the Oniipa Constituency where the outbreak was reported. Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium called _Bacillus anthracis_. It mostly affects herbivores, but it can also be transmitted to human beings, and other animals. Anthrax is deadly and its spores are soil borne.
It can survive harsh conditions and live for more than 70 years after the carcass of an infected animal has been buried. The bacteria are transmitted to human beings if a person with cuts on the skin gets in contact with an infected animal, if a person consumes meat of an infected animal, or if they inhale anthrax spores.
"So many people ate the meat of these cattle. Some were even selling kapana [a mixture of sliced grilled red meat and fat]. That is why we believe that a high number of people are at risk," said Oshikoto Regional Health Director Pater Kefas Angala. According to Angala, some of the people who turned up for treatment were already showing symptoms of anthrax infection, which include a skin rash and stomachache.
Villagers allegedly continued to consume beef from dozens of cattle that were dying 'mysteriously' at the village -- even though they could not explain the reasons for the deaths. The 1st cow died on 21 Dec 2012, and was allegedly skinned by a young man who is a student at the University of Namibia. Angala said the young man has already left for Windhoek, but he will be traced and treated before it is too late. He said the pace at which anthrax symptoms are displayed depends on the amount of bacteria that penetrated the body and probably the victim's immune system. Therefore, some people may react immediately to the infection, while others take some time to react to it.
The outbreak came to the attention of the authorities last week [week of 14 Jan 2013] when a woman in her 60s and her 22-year-old son, both from the village of Omadhiya in the Oniipa Constituency, died after complaining of stomachache and nausea. At first, the relatives of the deceased allegedly refused to allow medical staff to perform a post-mortem, insisting that the 2 died of poisoning. However, health authorities insisted on a post-mortem, which revealed that the mother and son did not die of poisoning but of an anthrax infection. According to Angala, common symptoms of anthrax include stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. "That was the reason why the family was convinced that that their relatives were poisoned," he said. After the autopsy results were released, people from the area flocked to the hospital to receive treatment. Angala warned communities not to slaughter, let alone consume the meat of animals that died of unknown causes. He said even the funerals of anthrax victims should be dealt with cautiously.
By Friday afternoon [18 Jan 2013] state veterinarians responsible for the Oshikoto Region were still carrying out tests in an attempt to confirm an anthrax outbreak at Omadhiya village.
[Byline: Helvy Shaanika]
--
Communicated by:
Sabine Zentis
Castleview Pedigree English Longhorns
Gut Laach
52385 Nideggen
Germany
<cvlonghorns@aol.com>
[Oshikoto is right up on the northern border of Namibia with Angola. And so what is happening in Oshikoto, could well be happening in nearby Angola.
Namibia normally reports anthrax in wildlife. There were no livestock outbreaks in 2012 and it was otherwise reported in springbok, wildebeest, and burchell's zebra. The last reported outbreak in cattle was in 2008, and in humans in 2007.
The last OIE reported outbreak in Angola was in January 2012, but we posted a report for October-November 2012, (archive no 20121122.1420568) in Huambo province, in central Angola, far from the border with Namibia.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Namibia can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/4XCh. To find Oshikoto in northern Namibia, go to http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... amibia.gif. For Onandjokwe, go to http://travelingluck.com/Africa/Namibia ... jokwe.html. - Mod.MHJ]
*******************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 21 Jan 2013
Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), ReliefWeb [edited]
http://reliefweb.int/report/namibia/ant ... s-oshikoto
Anthrax outbreak strikes Oshikoto
---------------------------------
The Oshikoto Regional Health Directorate is hard at work to trace thousands of people believed to have been exposed to anthrax-infected beef. 2 people have already died of the disease and 3000 are said to be at risk of anthrax infection. The regional health directorate has sent officials out in the field to trace people who may have consumed the meat of cattle believed to have died of anthrax.
By Friday afternoon [18 Jan 2013] the Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital was already swamped by hundreds of people from Omadhiya, a village near the Onandjokwe Hospital and other areas in the Oniipa Constituency where the outbreak was reported. Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium called _Bacillus anthracis_. It mostly affects herbivores, but it can also be transmitted to human beings, and other animals. Anthrax is deadly and its spores are soil borne.
It can survive harsh conditions and live for more than 70 years after the carcass of an infected animal has been buried. The bacteria are transmitted to human beings if a person with cuts on the skin gets in contact with an infected animal, if a person consumes meat of an infected animal, or if they inhale anthrax spores.
"So many people ate the meat of these cattle. Some were even selling kapana [a mixture of sliced grilled red meat and fat]. That is why we believe that a high number of people are at risk," said Oshikoto Regional Health Director Pater Kefas Angala. According to Angala, some of the people who turned up for treatment were already showing symptoms of anthrax infection, which include a skin rash and stomachache.
Villagers allegedly continued to consume beef from dozens of cattle that were dying 'mysteriously' at the village -- even though they could not explain the reasons for the deaths. The 1st cow died on 21 Dec 2012, and was allegedly skinned by a young man who is a student at the University of Namibia. Angala said the young man has already left for Windhoek, but he will be traced and treated before it is too late. He said the pace at which anthrax symptoms are displayed depends on the amount of bacteria that penetrated the body and probably the victim's immune system. Therefore, some people may react immediately to the infection, while others take some time to react to it.
The outbreak came to the attention of the authorities last week [week of 14 Jan 2013] when a woman in her 60s and her 22-year-old son, both from the village of Omadhiya in the Oniipa Constituency, died after complaining of stomachache and nausea. At first, the relatives of the deceased allegedly refused to allow medical staff to perform a post-mortem, insisting that the 2 died of poisoning. However, health authorities insisted on a post-mortem, which revealed that the mother and son did not die of poisoning but of an anthrax infection. According to Angala, common symptoms of anthrax include stomach pain, diarrhoea, nausea, and vomiting. "That was the reason why the family was convinced that that their relatives were poisoned," he said. After the autopsy results were released, people from the area flocked to the hospital to receive treatment. Angala warned communities not to slaughter, let alone consume the meat of animals that died of unknown causes. He said even the funerals of anthrax victims should be dealt with cautiously.
By Friday afternoon [18 Jan 2013] state veterinarians responsible for the Oshikoto Region were still carrying out tests in an attempt to confirm an anthrax outbreak at Omadhiya village.
[Byline: Helvy Shaanika]
--
Communicated by:
Sabine Zentis
Castleview Pedigree English Longhorns
Gut Laach
52385 Nideggen
Germany
<cvlonghorns@aol.com>
[Oshikoto is right up on the northern border of Namibia with Angola. And so what is happening in Oshikoto, could well be happening in nearby Angola.
Namibia normally reports anthrax in wildlife. There were no livestock outbreaks in 2012 and it was otherwise reported in springbok, wildebeest, and burchell's zebra. The last reported outbreak in cattle was in 2008, and in humans in 2007.
The last OIE reported outbreak in Angola was in January 2012, but we posted a report for October-November 2012, (archive no 20121122.1420568) in Huambo province, in central Angola, far from the border with Namibia.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Namibia can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/4XCh. To find Oshikoto in northern Namibia, go to http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... amibia.gif. For Onandjokwe, go to http://travelingluck.com/Africa/Namibia ... jokwe.html. - Mod.MHJ]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35244
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Milzbrand - Anthrax in Namibia
ANTHRAX - NAMIBIA (02): (OSHIKOTO) HUMAN, BOVINE
************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 28 Jan 2013
Source: The Namibian [edited]
http://www.namibian.com.na/news-article ... untry-wide
A total of 22 people are confirmed to be infected with the deadly anthrax bacterium. The Ministry of Health and Social Services have embarked on a mass campaign to create awareness about the disease and warn people to be on the lookout for symptoms. The disease broke out on 17 Jan 2013 in the Oniipa Constituency in the Oshikoto Region.
Dr Norbert Forster, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, yesterday [27 Jan 2013] said the 2 people who had died had both eaten anthrax-infected beef. According to him, the other 22 cases involve people who touched infected meat or the skin of the animals. As a result, they suffer from skin rash and have blisters. They are all treated with antibiotics "and they're doing fine," he said.
Forster warned residents of the area to report animals that die to the department of veterinary services. "They should not slaughter and eat the animals." It is understood that about 10 cattle were infected with the disease.
Andrew Ndishishi, the permanent secretary [PS], says anthrax is usually a fatal animal disease caused by a bacterium. "Anthrax in animals is endemic in the Etosha National Park and occurs from time to time in all regions bordering Etosha." Humans, Ndishishi says, can become infected if in contact with sick or dead animals and may die if not treated early with antibiotics.
Most people present with skin infection -- itching of the infected area, then blisters and later a black crust. Those who eat an infected animal suffer from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, the PS said. Those patients with a lung infection suffer from coughing, difficulty breathing, and a high fever.
Ndishishi called on people who show these symptoms to report to a health facility immediately. "All persons who might have visited the Oshikoto Region during December [2012]-January [2013] and experience such symptoms, should report to the nearest health facility." He stressed that prevention of human infection starts with prevention in animals. Therefore, he said, animals need to be vaccinated and carcasses need to be correctly disposed of.
Infected patients are isolated and treated with antibiotics. "Mass vaccination and quarantine of humans is not recommended."
[Byline: Denver Kisting]
--
Communicated by:
Sabine Zentis
Castleview Pedigree English Longhorns
Gut Laach
52385 Nideggen
Germany
<cvlonghorns@aol.com>
[The wildlife in African national parks are all at risk from anthrax, and because the park boundaries are porous, the result is that neighbouring villagers graze their stock in the parks and the spillover risk is omnipresent. Making it all the more important that the livestock in these marginal areas be routinely vaccinated each year. But being Africa this is the exception, not the rule.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Namibia can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/4XCh. To find Oshikoto in northern Namibia, go to http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... amibia.gif. The location of Etosha National Park can be seen on the map at http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_map/namibia.gif. - Mod.MHJ]
************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Mon 28 Jan 2013
Source: The Namibian [edited]
http://www.namibian.com.na/news-article ... untry-wide
A total of 22 people are confirmed to be infected with the deadly anthrax bacterium. The Ministry of Health and Social Services have embarked on a mass campaign to create awareness about the disease and warn people to be on the lookout for symptoms. The disease broke out on 17 Jan 2013 in the Oniipa Constituency in the Oshikoto Region.
Dr Norbert Forster, the deputy permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Services, yesterday [27 Jan 2013] said the 2 people who had died had both eaten anthrax-infected beef. According to him, the other 22 cases involve people who touched infected meat or the skin of the animals. As a result, they suffer from skin rash and have blisters. They are all treated with antibiotics "and they're doing fine," he said.
Forster warned residents of the area to report animals that die to the department of veterinary services. "They should not slaughter and eat the animals." It is understood that about 10 cattle were infected with the disease.
Andrew Ndishishi, the permanent secretary [PS], says anthrax is usually a fatal animal disease caused by a bacterium. "Anthrax in animals is endemic in the Etosha National Park and occurs from time to time in all regions bordering Etosha." Humans, Ndishishi says, can become infected if in contact with sick or dead animals and may die if not treated early with antibiotics.
Most people present with skin infection -- itching of the infected area, then blisters and later a black crust. Those who eat an infected animal suffer from nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, the PS said. Those patients with a lung infection suffer from coughing, difficulty breathing, and a high fever.
Ndishishi called on people who show these symptoms to report to a health facility immediately. "All persons who might have visited the Oshikoto Region during December [2012]-January [2013] and experience such symptoms, should report to the nearest health facility." He stressed that prevention of human infection starts with prevention in animals. Therefore, he said, animals need to be vaccinated and carcasses need to be correctly disposed of.
Infected patients are isolated and treated with antibiotics. "Mass vaccination and quarantine of humans is not recommended."
[Byline: Denver Kisting]
--
Communicated by:
Sabine Zentis
Castleview Pedigree English Longhorns
Gut Laach
52385 Nideggen
Germany
<cvlonghorns@aol.com>
[The wildlife in African national parks are all at risk from anthrax, and because the park boundaries are porous, the result is that neighbouring villagers graze their stock in the parks and the spillover risk is omnipresent. Making it all the more important that the livestock in these marginal areas be routinely vaccinated each year. But being Africa this is the exception, not the rule.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Namibia can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/4XCh. To find Oshikoto in northern Namibia, go to http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... amibia.gif. The location of Etosha National Park can be seen on the map at http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_map/namibia.gif. - Mod.MHJ]
-
Birgitt
- Moderator
- Beiträge: 35244
- Registriert: Di 2. Aug 2005, 22:52
- Wohnort: NRW / Südl. Rheinland
- Kontaktdaten:
Milzbrand - Anthrax in Namibia
ANTHRAX - NAMIBIA (03): (OSHIKOTO) HUMAN, BOVINE
************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 23 Jan 2013
Source: AllAfrica [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201301230583.html
Anthrax Vaccinations Start in Oshikoto
--------------------------------------
Health authorities in the Oshikoto Region, Namibia, yesterday [22 Jan 2013] cordoned off the Omadhiya village and started to vaccinate all livestock in the village. According to Oshikoto Regional Health Director Peter Kefas Angala, councillors from constituencies in the region, including veterinarians, church leaders, health and education officials attended the meeting on Monday. The meeting decided that no animals from other villages should be allowed to pass through Omadhiya village where the outbreak was 1st reported, and no animal from that village should be sold outside the village. Angala said anthrax can be highly infectious and that it is carried on the hoofs of infected animals.
A fixed and fully equipped medical post with nurses and health inspectors opened in the village this week. The nurses are expected to pay visits to all schools in the area to treat learners showing symptoms of anthrax infection.
Angala is appealing to residents of communities in the Oshikoto Region to remain calm and not to panic, because all efforts were made to contain the outbreak. He further called on anyone with anthrax symptoms to report to the nearest state health facility, be it a clinic or hospital, because they are all stocked with anthrax medication.
Omadhiya, a village near the Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital became the centre of attention after a woman and her 20-year-old son died of what was earlier suspected to be poisoning. However, autopsy results on the mother and son later confirmed the cause of death to have been anthrax infection. It is only then that villagers started going to the hospital at Onandjokwe for treatment, although many had already started showing symptoms of anthrax infection. Earlier this week, Angala told New Era that at least 3000 people were at risk of anthrax infection, having consumed the meat of affected animals.
Meanwhile, Ondangwa-based Dr Sarah Luvala said veterinarians were doing everything in their power to contain the anthrax outbreak, while awaiting results from the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL). "Some animals that died showed anthrax symptoms as they had blood coming from their mouths and anus. But we also have reasons to believe that not all animals died of anthrax, since some showed different clinical signs. Based on the information that we got from the villagers, some animals died a few days after they showed symptoms, but anthrax is an acute disease, it kills within 24 hours," said Luvala.
[Byline: Helvy Shaanika]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Anthrax routinely starts by finding animals dead that had been apparently healthy the day before. But once one is aware of what is happening sick animals will be noted, which if left untreated will not die until hours later or the next day. This is why it is so important to treat a herd with long acting antibiotics immediately after the 1st case has been tentatively diagnosed. There will be animals incubating an infection.
Unlike humans who are hard to infect but easy to kill with anthrax, cattle are easy to infect but relatively hard to kill. One can successfully treat seemingly moribund cattle. Any animals that have been treated with antibiotics should be carefully watched for 7-10 days and then vaccinated.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Namibia can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/4XCh. To find Oshikoto in northern Namibia, go to http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... amibia.gif. The location of Etosha National Park can be seen on the map at http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_map/namibia.gif. - Mod.MHJ]
************************************************
A ProMED-mail post
http://www.promedmail.org
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
http://www.isid.org
Date: Wed 23 Jan 2013
Source: AllAfrica [edited]
http://allafrica.com/stories/201301230583.html
Anthrax Vaccinations Start in Oshikoto
--------------------------------------
Health authorities in the Oshikoto Region, Namibia, yesterday [22 Jan 2013] cordoned off the Omadhiya village and started to vaccinate all livestock in the village. According to Oshikoto Regional Health Director Peter Kefas Angala, councillors from constituencies in the region, including veterinarians, church leaders, health and education officials attended the meeting on Monday. The meeting decided that no animals from other villages should be allowed to pass through Omadhiya village where the outbreak was 1st reported, and no animal from that village should be sold outside the village. Angala said anthrax can be highly infectious and that it is carried on the hoofs of infected animals.
A fixed and fully equipped medical post with nurses and health inspectors opened in the village this week. The nurses are expected to pay visits to all schools in the area to treat learners showing symptoms of anthrax infection.
Angala is appealing to residents of communities in the Oshikoto Region to remain calm and not to panic, because all efforts were made to contain the outbreak. He further called on anyone with anthrax symptoms to report to the nearest state health facility, be it a clinic or hospital, because they are all stocked with anthrax medication.
Omadhiya, a village near the Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital became the centre of attention after a woman and her 20-year-old son died of what was earlier suspected to be poisoning. However, autopsy results on the mother and son later confirmed the cause of death to have been anthrax infection. It is only then that villagers started going to the hospital at Onandjokwe for treatment, although many had already started showing symptoms of anthrax infection. Earlier this week, Angala told New Era that at least 3000 people were at risk of anthrax infection, having consumed the meat of affected animals.
Meanwhile, Ondangwa-based Dr Sarah Luvala said veterinarians were doing everything in their power to contain the anthrax outbreak, while awaiting results from the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL). "Some animals that died showed anthrax symptoms as they had blood coming from their mouths and anus. But we also have reasons to believe that not all animals died of anthrax, since some showed different clinical signs. Based on the information that we got from the villagers, some animals died a few days after they showed symptoms, but anthrax is an acute disease, it kills within 24 hours," said Luvala.
[Byline: Helvy Shaanika]
--
Communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[Anthrax routinely starts by finding animals dead that had been apparently healthy the day before. But once one is aware of what is happening sick animals will be noted, which if left untreated will not die until hours later or the next day. This is why it is so important to treat a herd with long acting antibiotics immediately after the 1st case has been tentatively diagnosed. There will be animals incubating an infection.
Unlike humans who are hard to infect but easy to kill with anthrax, cattle are easy to infect but relatively hard to kill. One can successfully treat seemingly moribund cattle. Any animals that have been treated with antibiotics should be carefully watched for 7-10 days and then vaccinated.
A HealthMap/ProMED-mail interactive map of Namibia can be seen at http://healthmap.org/r/4XCh. To find Oshikoto in northern Namibia, go to http://www.ezilon.com/maps/images/afric ... amibia.gif. The location of Etosha National Park can be seen on the map at http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_map/namibia.gif. - Mod.MHJ]
