Anthrax

Parts affected

• Most common - Skin
• Less common - respiratory tract, Gastrointestinal tract

Transmission

• Skin: direct skin contact with spores; in nature, contact with infected animals or animal products  like meat or hide
• Respiratory tract: inhalation of aerosolized spores
• Gastrointestinal (GI) tract: consumption of undercooked or raw meat products or dairy products from infected animals
• Person-to-person transmission of inhalation or GI anthrax does not occur

Symptoms

• Skin: Localized itching followed by popular lesion that turns vesicular and subsequent development of black eschar within 7–10 days of initial lesion
• Respiratory tract: Non-specific symptoms such as low-grade fever, fatigue, profound sweats, chest discomfort (upper respiratory tract symptoms are rare)
• Gastrointestinal tract: Nausea, anorexia, vomiting, and fever progressing to severe abdominal pain, hematemesis, and diarrhea that is almost always bloody

Symptoms on the skin

Day 2 Day 4 Day 6 Day 10

Disease management

• Contact the doctor immediately when symptoms are being noticed
• Avoid eating uncooked meat or animal products
• Self-protection when dealing with cattle or its products.