Animals and Anthrax

Dr.Kedar Karki

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 Introduction
• Anthrax is an acute infectious
disease of almost all warm-
blooded animals including
humans. In animals, the
disease is characterised, in
most instances, by sudden
death.
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 Introduction

• Anthrax is caused by the

bacterium Bacillus
anthracis that belongs to
a group of bacteria that
have the capability of
forming spores.
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 Epidemiology?

• The disease occurs

world-wide.

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 Animal species can be affected
by anthrax?
• Cattle, sheep, goats,
horses, donkeys, pigs,
dogs, etc...

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 Clinical Signs in Animals
• Signs differ by species
–Ruminants at greatest risk

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 Three forms of illness

–Peracute
•Ruminants (cattle, sheep,
goats, antelope)

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 Three forms of illness

–Acute
•Ruminants and equine

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 Three forms of illness

–Subacute-chronic
•Swine, dogs, cats

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 Ruminants
• Peracute infection
– Rapid onset
– Sudden death
– Bloody discharge from body
orifices
– Incomplete rigor mortis
– Rapidly bloat
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 Ruminants
• Acute infection: 1-3 days
–Fever, anorexia
–Decreased rumination
–Muscle tremors
–Dyspnea

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 Ruminants
–Abortions
–Disorientation
–Bleeding from orifices
–Hemorrhages on internal
organs

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 Ruminants
• Chronic infection
– Pharyngeal and lingual edema
– Ventral edema
– Death from asphyxiation
• Treatment successful if started early

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 Differential Diagnosis
• Blackleg
• Botulism
• Poisoning
– Plants, heavy metal, snake bite
• Lightening strike
• Peracute babesiosis

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 Equine
• Ingestion
– Enteritis, severe colic,
high fever,
weakness, death
within 48-96 hours
• Insect bite/vector
– Hot, painful swelling
– Spreads to throat,
sternum, abdomen,
external genitalia
– Death

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 Swine
• Sudden death without symptoms
• Localized swelling of throat
• Death by asphyxiation
• Ingestion of spores
– Anorexia, vomiting, enteritis

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 Dogs & Cats
• Relatively resistant
– Ingestion of contaminated raw meat
• Clinical signs
– Fever, anorexia, weakness
– Necrosis and edema of upper GI tract
– Lymphadenopathy and edema of head and
neck
– Death
• Due to asphyxiation, toxemia, septicemia

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 Diagnosis and Treatment
• Necropsy not advised!
• Do not open carcass!
• Samples of peripheral blood needed
– Cover collection site with disinfectant soaked
bandage to prevent leakage
• Treatment
– Penicillin, tetracyclines
• Reportable disease
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 Prevention and Control
• Report to authorities
• Quarantine the area
• Do not open carcass
• Minimize contact
• Wear protective clothing
– Latex gloves, face mask
• Vaccination of susceptible animals

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 Prevention and Control
• Burn or bury carcasses,
bedding, other materials
• Decontaminate soil
• Remove organic
material and disinfect
structures

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 Disinfection
• Effective disinfection can be difficult
• Prevention of sporulation best
• High pressure cleaners discouraged
• Soil
– 5% lye or quicklime
– Hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid or
gluteraldehyde
• Bleach 1:10 dilution
– May be corrosive
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 Disinfection
• Preliminary disinfection
– 10% formaldehyde
– 4% glutaraldehyde (pH 8.0-8.5)
• Cleaning
– Hot water, scrubbing, protective clothing
• Final disinfection: one of the following
– 10% formaldehyde
– 4% glutaraldehyde (pH 8.0-8.5)
– 3% hydrogen peroxide,
– 1% peracetic acid

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