Credit CDC
#16,126
While relatively rare in the Western world, two years ago in CDC: The 8 Zoonotic Diseases Of Most Concern In The United States, the U.S. One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization report ranked Anthrax as 2nd (after Zoonotic Influenza) on their disease list.
We know from bitter experience that Anthrax has bioterrorism applications (see CDC's Anthrax as a Bioterrorism Weapon), have seen occasional lab accidents (see DOD Inadvertently Ships Live Anthrax To 9 Labs), warnings to avoid dead animals in the wild (see Texas DSHS Cautions Residents On Avoiding Sick or Dead Wildlife), and oddly, human infection from the injection of contaminated drugs (see Eurosurveillance: Anthrax Encounters Of The 4th Kind).
The CDC's Yellow Book describes the epidemiology of Anthrax:
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease primarily affecting ruminant herbivores such as cattle, sheep, goats, antelope, and deer that become infected by ingesting contaminated vegetation, water, or soil; humans are generally incidental hosts. Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions in Central and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, central and southwestern Asia, and southern and eastern Europe. Although outbreaks still occur in livestock and wild herbivores in the United States, Canada, and Western Europe, human anthrax in these areas is now rare.
Worldwide, the most commonly reported form of anthrax in humans is cutaneous anthrax (95%–99%). Anthrax can occur after playing or handling drums made from contaminated goatskins. Although the risk of acquiring anthrax from drums imported from anthrax-endemic countries appears low, life-threatening or fatal disease is possible. Cases of cutaneous (4), ingestion (1), and inhalation (3) anthrax have been reported in people who have handled, played, or made drums; others who have been in the same place as people who participated in these activities have also been infected.
A week ago, a Beijing hospital reported they were treating a rare case of anthrax pneumonia, in a patient who was transferred from Chengde in North China's Hebei Province (see Beijing reports a case of deadly anthrax pneumonia who contacted cattle, sheep).
Overnight, Chinese State owned media (Global Times) has reported another Anthrax outbreak, this time in Wenshui, Shanxi province - more than 800 km to the south and west of Chengde - affecting as many as 9 villagers.
Shanxi Province reports 9 suspected anthrax cases, treatment underway
By Global Times Published: Aug 15, 2021 11:33 AM
Wenshui county in North China's Shanxi Province reportedly found nine suspected cases of anthrax, who were involved in cattle breeding, slaughtering and selling. Two of the nine cases have been discharged from hospital, while the rest are quarantined and being treated.
Local health authorities reported on Thursday that a number of villagers from Wenshui had experienced papules on limbs, which then turned into blisters and ulcerations. They also developed symptoms of edema and swollen lymph nodes, national broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Sunday.
A total of nine people developed such symptoms, among whom two have been discharged from hospital, two are getting medical treatment in Taiyuan, and another five are still in the village, according to local media reports.
The five patients in the village have been put under isolated treatment. All venues they had visited as well as their excrement are being disinfected, and health authorities are closely monitoring their close contacts.
Epidemiological studies will continue to confirm the diagnosis, and investigations will be launched on local livestock and environment.
The provincial health commission of Shanxi has dispatched medical experts to assist probes to control and prevent the disease from spreading.The nine cases were all involved in works of cattle breeding, slaughtering and selling, CCTV reported. In June, one anthrax case was reported in Wenshui county, which the local authorities have been closely following.
While this outbreak is likely to small and localized, it is another reminder that we share the same environment - and often the same pathogens - as non-humans species on this planet, and if we are to avoid or mitigate future pandemics, we need to pay greater attention to zoonotic diseases.
For more on the concept of `One Health', you may wish to revisit:
J. Royal Society of Med.: Veterinary Intelligence - Integrating Zoonotic Threats Into Global Health Security
