Anthrax

Authors M.R.F.RUKSHANA rukshanaramzan@ymail.com E.P.C.M.EKANAYAKE chaminimaheshwari@gmail.com S.W.A.M.UPAMALIKA upamalikasamarawikcrama@gmail.com W.P.N.W. WEERASINGHE nww1991@gmail.com oviniweeratunge@rocketmail.com W.K.O.V.WEERATUNGE B.M.D.C.G.BALASURIYA gaybalasuriya@ymail.com R.M.M.N.RATNAYAKE madhu9108.niro@gmail.com Over view of disease Since anthrax had appeared in the world a long time ago & rapidly increased among the population it is called an emerging disease. Anthrax is a bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthraciswhich primarily affects mammals. Robert Koch first identified bacteria that cause anthrax disease in 1875. Anthrax can be called as a deliberately emerging disease that is intentionally introduced. Therefore it is an agent of bioterrorism. Causes A bacterium calledBacillus anthracis is the cause for anthrax. Early it was a major cause of serious disease in cattle, pigs, camels, goats, sheep& horses throughout the world. Humans normally get the disease from infected animals or exposure to contaminated animal products. Three main types of anthrax in humans can be recognized those are Cutaneous, Gastrointestinal & Inhalational anthrax.Cutaneous is the most common type caused by anthrax spores infecting cut or scratch of skin.The most fatal type is the Inhalational anthrax. It develops when anthrax spores enter the lungs through the respiratory tract. Gastrointestinal anthrax occurs when someone eats anthrax-tainted meat. Treatment Anthrax is treated with antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, or doxycycline, erythromycin, vancomycin or penicillin. The delay for the treatments lessen chance to survive. Prevention Widening the awareness about the disease among public is essential to prevent anthrax. There are several vaccines in current use. The Georgian/Russian vaccine called STI is a live-attenuated vaccine based on spores from the Stern strain of Bacillus anthracis. The USA vaccine known as AVA is also used. Records of person-to-person exist but are rare. People s clothing and body may be contaminated with anthrax spores. To avoid this, thorough wash-down with antimicrobial effective soap and water can be done. Waste water should be treated with bleach or other anti-microbial agent. . Burning clothing is very effective in destroying spores. If a person is suspected as having died from anthrax, every precaution should be taken to avoid skin contact and fluids exuded through natural body openings. Full isolation of the body is important to prevent possible contamination of others. References;http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH000 http://www.who.int/ith/diseases/anthrax/en/ http://www.who.int/csr/disease/Anthrax/en/