Risk Factors, Attitude and Knowledge of Farmers in Controlling Anthrax

Abstract

In terms of epidemiology, the distribution of anthrax globally remains enzootic, and is endemic in some parts of Indonesia. Contact with anthrax spores that present in meat, soil and grass can cause disease in both humans and animals. This paper describes risk factors causing high prevalence of anthrax, also attitude and knowledge of farmers’ community toward anthrax. Several risk factors that causing high prevalence of anthrax transmitted to humans are lack of farmers’ knowledge on anthrax, people's habit of slaughtering the sick animal and consuming the meat for economic reason. The knowledge of anthrax amongs farmer communities are influenced by education level, information sources, and professions. Farmers community knowledge in Indonesia towards anthrax is relatively low. Most farmers have wrong perception that anthrax is non-contagious disease. Control of anthrax in livestock and humans will be effective, if the community has better knowledge, attitude and good perception of disease. Interventions need to consider both technical and social (local knowledge and culture, as well as community behavior) factors to be appropriate and more acceptable to farmers and local communities.

Association Between Farmer’s Knowledge and Decision to Trade the Cattle in Anthrax Infected Village in Gunungkidul Regency

“…Anthrax is the second most important zoonotic disease in Bangladesh and one of the most important zoonoses in Kenya, whereas, in Ethiopia, the government has not prioritized anthrax [8][9][10]. In Indonesia, anthrax is the most important zoonotic disease [12], but the farmers' knowledge level of anthrax is still inadequate [13], especially in the area that was being studied. Of 65 farmers with good knowledge of anthrax, 14 (21.5%) farmers still decided to trade cattle from an 1174 (2023) 012022 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1174/1/012022 4 anthrax-outbreak suspect village.…”

Invasive water buffalo population trends and competition-related consequences for native rusa deer in eastern Indonesian protected areas

“…Diseases such as anthrax could explain some of the site by year variation in the water buffalo dung abundance in the Wae Wuul Nature Reserve. Anthrax, a soil-borne bacteria, is endemic in Flores, and outbreaks cause mortality in people and livestock (Carlson et al 2018;Martindah 2018). Indeed an anthrax outbreak was reported in water buffalo in the Wae Wuul Nature Reserve following in 2011.…”

“…We do not know which competitive processes could potentially explain how water buffalo decrease rusa deer abundance. Nevertheless, competitive interactions between domesticated/feral livestock and native ungulates have demonstrated strong demographic consequences leading to a reduced abundance in native populations (Keiper 1985;Kiddie 1962;Martindah 2018;Mishra et al 2004).…”

Risk Factors of Anthrax Transmission in Pacitan Regency

“…Anthrax spreads can affect public health, which can also affect the socio-economic aspects and community welfare. In Indonesia, anthrax occurs in several provinces that infect the warm-blooded animals (homoiotherm), namely all vertebrate animals and humans who directly contact anthrax spores (2)(3). Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, which are grampositive stem-shaped bacteria and can form spores (4).…”

“…The chronic forms usually attack pig herds but rarely in cows, horses, and dogs in which the visible lesions/wounds are limited to the tongue and throat (5). When an infected animal dies, there is usually bleeding in the nose, mouth, anus, and ears (3).…”