NewsDesk @bactiman63
The Center for Disease Control of Dien Bien province reported three outbreaks of cutaneous anthrax, including 13 cases, Tua Chua district in the month May.
On average, in the period 2016-2022, the whole country recorded 7 cases/year and no deaths.
Currently, 119 people related to the outbreak (who participated in slaughtering, eating dead buffalo and cows) have been listed, monitored for health and are currently in stable health.
As soon as cases of anthrax infection were detected in the province, the Dien Bien Provincial Center for Disease Control coordinated with the Tua Chua District Health Center to investigate and verify the anthrax outbreak.
The Department of Health of Dien Bien province requested the Tua Chua District Health Center to report the situation of anthrax epidemic, and advise the People’s Committee of Tua Chua district to issue a document directing activities to prevent anthrax epidemic on humans in the near future to include monitoring the health of close contacts at anthrax outbreaks and prophylactic treatment with antibiotics for close contacts.
The provincial Department of Health proposed to strengthen supervision in areas where people buy sick buffalo and cow meat from Tua Chua district to detect suspected cases of anthrax, investigate and take samples with suspected cases. sent to the Centers for Disease Control for diagnosis.
Organize health monitoring, take preventive antibiotics with close contacts, thoroughly handle the outbreak.
For districts, towns and cities that have not yet recorded cases, the provincial Department of Health directs People’s Committees at all levels to promote communication about the dangerous nature of the disease and measures to prevent anthrax.
The relevant units, especially the Department of Agriculture, closely monitor the epidemic situation in the area, manage, monitor and report promptly cases of cattle with suspected signs of anthrax, carry out sampling. test samples to promptly detect animal diseases and limit the spread of disease to humans.
It is strictly forbidden to transport, slaughter and consume cattle with disease or abnormal death in the epidemic commune and surrounding communes during the epidemic period to limit the spread of anthrax to livestock and to humans.
Promote communication to the people about the dangers of anthrax.
Mobilize people not to slaughter, not to eat, not to use, not to trade or transport products from infected or suspected cattle.
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Propagating and mobilizing livestock farmers to vaccinate their cattle against anthrax.
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 edema 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.
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