Anthrax outbreak amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: Challenges and possible solutions

Badri, Rawa; Uwishema, Olivier; Wellington, Jack; Thambi, Vimala Devi; Pradhan, Aishwarya Umesh; Adanur, Irem; Onyeaka, Chinyere Vivian Patrick; Onyeaka, Helen

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104418

Cited by 6 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 25 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…and wildlife (elephant, bison, buffalo, zebras, etc.) with occasional outbreaks in humans, with recent cases being reported from most areas of the world excluding northern and central Europe [ 1 , 2 , 5 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Industrial anthrax is the result of occupational exposure to spore-contaminated animal products such as wool and hair, which accounted for 50% or more of human cases until late in the 20th century [ 18 ] ( Table 1 ).…”

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Anthrax: Update of the Diagnosis and Treatment

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Anthrax is one of the most important zoonotic diseases which primarily infects herbivores and occasionally humans. The etiological agent is Bacillus anthracis which is a Gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming, nonmotile, rod-shaped bacillus. The spores are resistant to environmental conditions and remain viable for a long time in contaminated soil, which is the main reservoir for wild and domestic mammals. Infections still occur in low-income countries where they cause suffering and economic hardship. Humans are infected by contact with ill or dead animals, contaminated animal products, directly exposed to the spores in the environment or spores released as a consequence of a bioterrorist event. Three classical clinical forms of the disease, cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalation, are seen, all of which can potentially lead to sepsis or meningitis. A new clinical form in drug users has been described recently and named “injectional anthrax” with high mortality (>33%). The symptoms of anthrax in the early stage mimics many diseases and as a consequence it is important to confirm the diagnosis using a bacterial culture or a molecular test. With regards to treatment, human isolates are generally susceptible to most antibiotics with penicillin G and amoxicillin as the first choice, and ciprofloxacin and doxycycline serving as alternatives. A combination of one or more antibiotics is suggested in systemic anthrax. Controlling anthrax in humans depends primarily on effective control of the disease in animals. Spore vaccines are used in veterinary service, and an acellular vaccine is available for humans but its use is limited.

show abstract

Section: Epidemiologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Human Anthrax: Update of the Diagnosis and Treatment

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Finding Echinococcus may put humans in considerable health concerns. When an animal is autopsied to search for alveolar cysts, workers in slaughterhouses are particularly vulnerable to serious illness [3] . Humans may contract cystic echinococcosis as a result of accidental E. granulosis infection [8] .…”

Section: Consequences For the Human Populationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Parasites are transmitted in water sources by the recurrent migration of pastoral nomadic tribes in East Africa with their vast herds and canines. The livestock will come into contact with predators due to the presence of wild animals in the same areas [3] . In European countries, there are between 1 and 8 hospital cases of human E. canidensis annually per 100,000 individuals [4] .…”

Section: Dear Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

The first case of Echinococcus canadensis found in a moose in Norway: What does it entail?

Shariff,

Awad,

Itani

et al. 2023

International Journal of Surgery: Global Health

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Anthrax wreaks disease amongst mammalian species worldwide and has an endemic distribution not only in Asia but also in Africa (Badri et al 2022 ). The authors reported the anthrax attack rates around 15% in 2014 and 29% in 2017, with case fatality rates up to 5%.…”

Section: Anthrax In Southern and Southeastern Europementioning

confidence: 99%

Anthrax in one health in Southern and Southeastern Europe - the effect of climate change?

Railean,

Sobolewski,

Jaśkowski

2023

Vet Res Commun

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Anthrax is a serious infection caused by Bacillus anthracis. The anthracis spores are highly resistant and can persist in the environment for several decades. Therefore, anthrax is considered a global health threat affecting wildlife, livestock, and the general public. The resistance mechanism is influenced not only by the environment or the ecological niche but also by virulence factors. In the last 10 years the Southern and Southeastern Europe have been confronted with this threat. Recently, there have been 8 human anthrax cases reported in Croatia (2022), and 4 cases in Romania (2023). Moreover, this incident and the COVID situation could be a starting point to encourage researchers to raise the alarm. On the other hand, climate change is causing glaciers to melt and land to thaw, and many wetlands and swampy areas are being drained. It should not be forgotten that epidemiological and epizootic threats significantly affect the country’s economic development. The Covid-19 epidemic best illustrates these threats.

show abstract

Anthrax outbreak amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa: Challenges and possible solutions

Cited by 6 publications

References 25 publications

Human Anthrax: Update of the Diagnosis and Treatment

Human Anthrax: Update of the Diagnosis and Treatment

The first case of Echinococcus canadensis found in a moose in Norway: What does it entail?

Anthrax in one health in Southern and Southeastern Europe - the effect of climate change?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About