In a follow-up to to an earlier report on the anthrax outbreak in Nakuru County, Kenya, officials now put the cutaneous anthrax case count at 70, according a Standard Media report.
Patients are reported being seen with swollen eyes, lesions on the face, hands, cheeks and fingers after eating the carcass of a tainted cow.
Those that consumed the meat and those who handled the meat have been treated with antibiotics.
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 animalsaround 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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