Disease

Anthrax in India

A major outbreak of the killer disease anthrax - which affects most mammals and can be especially devastating to livestock herds - has been reported in Vellore in Keelvenkatapuram village in Nemili block. The disease has killed at least 37 sheep on Thursday and Friday.

The preliminary investigation into the outbreak of the disease revealed that the owners of the sheep removed the skin after the first animal died -an extremely dangerous thing to do because it causes the disease to spread at a rapid rate.

The government stepped in quickly, dispatching four special medical teams from the animal husbandry department to launch a special drive to vaccinate livestock in the area.

Disease

Anthrax Outbreak in Zimbabwe

An anthrax outbreak has been reported in Umzingwane District in Matabeleland South Province with 36 people getting infected and at least 45 head of cattle dying, amid fears that contaminated meat could have been sold to butcheries in Bulawayo.

The disease, which can be fatal if not treated, can be transmitted through eating the meat of infected animals.

Disease

Anthrax in Morrocco

Health officials in Morocco are investigating an outbreak of anthrax in the town of Imilchil in Midelt province.

Nine people have been diagnosed with cutaneous anthrax linked to exposure to handling diseased cows.

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax can be found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. Although it is rare, people can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.

Cutaneous anthrax occurs when the spore (or possibly the bacterium) enters a cut or abrasion on the skin. It starts out as a raised bump that looks like an insect bite. It then develops into a blackened lesion called an eschar that may form a scab. Lymph glands in the area may swell plus eodema may be present. This form of anthrax responds well to antibiotics. If untreated, deaths can occur if the infection goes systemic. 95% of cases of anthrax are cutaneous.

Disease

Anthrax in Australia

An outbreak of anthrax in New South Wales, Australia, has killed up to 40 cattle and several farms in the area have been quarantined to stop the spread of the bacterial disease.

Wildlife

Thirty hippos die in an anthrax outbreak in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. The outbreak in the north of the Park, which initially began in August, has now killed dozens of hippos in the Letaba and Olifants Rivers.

Disease

Anthrax outbreak in Jiangsu Province, China.

Mysterious cattle disease has killed 68 cattle in Cholistan, Pakistan.

 

Disease

Anthrax outbreak on a ranch in Colorado, USA kills cattle. It is the first anthrax outbreak in Colorado in 31 years.

 

Disease

Colombia reports a number of anthrax livestock deaths. The anthrax outbreak has apparently been active for almost a year. Skin lesions have been found in some people who have come into contact with infected animals.

Disease

Anthrax outbreak in Ghana. Two people have died after eating the infected meat of a cow. The government vaccination program has been halted causing concern for the health of both cattle and humans.