.jpg)
Districts Upazila Number In last 24 hours (30/09/2010)
Pabna 68 0
Bera 11
Santhia 35
Faridpur 22
Sirajganj 218 0
Shahjadpur 56
Belkuchi 54
Kamarkhanda 98
Ullapara 10
Kushtia 49 0
Daulotpur 46
Bheramara 03
Tangail 26 0
Ghatail 14
Gopalpur 12
Meherpur 82 0
Gangni 81
Mujibnagar 01
Manikganj 08 0
Shaturia 08
Shatkhira 01 0
Sadar 01
Lalmonirhat 107 0
Sadar 78
Aditmari 29
Rajshahi 08 0
Charghat 07
Tanore 01*
Narayangonj 12 0
Araihajar 12
Laxmipur 25 0
Kamalnagar 25
Chittagong 01 0
City 01
Total
605 Last 24 hours 0
* Imported from Sirajganj
Last day it was 605
Read More on Anthrax:
Epidemiology
Anthrax is commonly known as ‘Tarka disease’ among the villagers and caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that can form spores. Spores allow it to survive in the soil for long periods of time.
Anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivorous mammals such as cattle, sheep, goats and buffaloes, which can ingest anthrax spores while grazing. Humans generally acquire the disease directly or indirectly from infected animals, or occupational exposure to infected or contaminated animal products. Control in livestock is therefore the key to reduced incidence. There are no documented cases of person to person transmission. The disease's impact on animal and human health can be devastating.
The disease exists in animals and humans in most countries of Africa and Asia, in several southern European countries, in the Americas, and certain areas of Australia. But It was just 9 years back. After 9/11, Anthrax was a serious issue in the western world. Still today, Anthrax is of serious interest due to the world terrorism issues. As an infective agent, it is a concern because it forms very resistant spores that can be transported easily. At present, it has come back in Bangladesh and infecting human and cattle.
Disease outbreaks in animals also occur sporadically in other countries. Prevalence of anthrax in Bangladesh was not well documented, however, since August 2009 IEDCR has investigated 14 outbreaks of cutaneous anthrax in three districts of Bangladesh (Pabna, Sirajganj and Tangail). Recently, more and more outbreaks are being reported.
Anthrax in human
There are 3 types of anthrax in humans: cutaneous anthrax,
gastrointestinal tract anthrax, and
pulmonary (inhalation) anthrax.
The incubation period for the disease is approximately 2 to 7 days.
In people, cutaneous anthrax accounts for about 95% of all infections and develops when B. anthracis comes in contact with the skin. Antibiotic treatment cures cutaneous anthrax; if appropriately treated, death is rare.
Intestinal anthrax results from consumption of contaminated and undercooked meat. Affected individuals may experience nausea, vomiting, and fever, followed by abdominal pain, blood in the vomitus, and severe diarrhea. Mortality is estimated at 25 to 75%. No case of intestinal anthrax has been reported in Bangladesh so far.
Inhalational anthrax may initially present as a flu-like illness. A short period of improvement may follow, after which the patient rapidly deteriorates with high fever, respiratory distress, and shock. Fatalities approach 95% if not treated within the first 48 hours. It is very rare.
Anthrax in animals
Anthrax infection in animals can be respiratory or intestinal. Clinical signs may include fever, respiratory difficulty, excitement followed by depression, incoordination, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody discharges, convulsions, and death.
Prevention
Prevention of anthrax in both humans and animals is based on control measures in livestock in endemic areas, such as the safe disposal of anthrax carcasses and mass vaccination of cattle. The most efficient method of disposal is incineration in a manner that ensures heat sterilization of the underlying soil. However, vaccination of livestock is the most efficient way of preventing this disease.
Isolation of human cases is not required and there are no quarantine requirements as human to human transmission has not been documented. Dressings and other contaminated materials should be disposed of, preferably by incineration.
Some remarkable points about widely talked Anthrax:
•Anthrax infection is a condition caused by a bacteria Bacillus anthracis that usually causes infections with mainly domestic animals like cattle, goats, sheep, dogs, horses etc. The infection in humans is also called ‘Woolsorters disease’.
•The bacterium infects the skin — most occupational cases are skin infections. But fortunately, skin infections are less severe and a more easily treated. It also infects the lungs — causing a form of pneumonia. It infects many small air sacs in the lung. This tends to be the most dangerous form. It sometimes infects the intestines. But this is rather rare.
Treatment
Infection in human can be treated with antibiotics. Because the course of the disease is rapid, prompt administration is essential. Effective antibiotics include ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, and phenoxymethyl penicillin.
* this article does not provide anthrax treatment advice. You should consult a qualified medical doctor for Anthrax infection advice and treatment specific to you.
No comments:
Post a Comment