The health alert has been intensified on the Dominican border due to a suspected outbreak of anthrax, also known as anthrax in Haiti. This disease, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis, has put health authorities on alert.
According to the criteria of
Anthrax is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans, primarily affecting ruminants such as cows, sheep and goats. Although direct transmission between animals or from person to person is rare, transmission to humans can occur in several ways: ingestion of contaminated animal products, inhalation of spores or through breaks in the skin.
The three clinical presentations of anthrax
Depending on the type of exposure, Anthrax can manifest in three clinical forms: cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalational. The cutaneous form, which is the most common, is initially characterized by an itchy bump that quickly turns into a black sore. Symptoms may progress to headaches, muscle aches, fever and vomiting.
The gastrointestinal presentation shares initial symptoms with food poisoning, but can rapidly worsen causing severe abdominal pain, vomiting of blood, and acute diarrhea.
WHAT THE HELL IS ANTHRAX?
Pos is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria which can be found in water, soil etc. It spreads through spores that can enter the body in three ways:
– Cutaneous: Sores on the skin that become black ulcers.
-… pic.twitter.com/tX3CCOSsCN— 3D (@Chanty3D) July 22, 2024
The most severe form is pulmonary anthrax, which begins with cold-like symptoms but can progress to severe breathing difficulties and shock.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis of anthrax is made by specific tests such as polychrome methylene blue blood stain, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), an antibody-based test.
Treatment for those infected requires hospitalization and consists of the administration of antibiotics, especially penicillin. The World Health Organization (WHO) also mentions that vaccines are available, although access to them is limited, mainly for people at high occupational risk.
NICOLE COLLADO
The Trade (Peru) / GDA
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*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from Listín Diario (GDA), and was reviewed by a journalist and an editor.
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