Anthrax:Are You at

Risk?

Ann Herring-Lambert, LVT, BA, CVMN

Ph.D. Student, Walden University

PUBH-8165-1: Environmental HealthInstructor: Dr. David

AndersonTerm 4, Year 1

Purpose of PresentationThe General Public will be able to:

Understand the cause and transmission of the disease

Identify signs and symptoms Identify risk factors for exposure Understand prophylactic and treatment

measures Implement preventive measures Contact the appropriate authorities in the

event of potential exposure or signs and symptoms

Share and discuss information with others

OverviewDisease Agent: Bacillus anthracis

Ancient bacterial pathogen Single-celled, spore-forming

bacteria Reason for spore formation Zoonosis

Bacillus anthracis spores. Photo by Janice Haney Carr. CDC Public Health Image Library. http://www.cdc.gov

TransmissionZoonotic- Animals and

Animal Products

Soil & Water

Bioterrorism- Intentional Transmission

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Emergency preparedness and response: Anthrax. Retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/index.asp

Types of Anthrax

Cutaneous (skin)

Inhalation

Gastrointestinal Bacillus anthracis bacteria. CDC Public Health Image Library. http://www.cdc.gov

Cutaneous Anthrax Contact with skin

Lesions

Prognosis

Treatment

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Emergency preparedness and response: Anthrax. Retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/index.asp

Cutaneous Lesions. CDC Public Image Health Library (PHIL). www.cdc.gov

Inhalation Anthrax

Respiratory

Prognosis

Treatment

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Emergency preparedness and response: Anthrax. Retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/index.asp

Lesions and edema in the lungs. CDC Public Health Image Library (PHIL). www.cdc.gov

Gastrointestinal Anthrax

Digestive tract

Prognosis

Treatment

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Emergency preparedness and response: Anthrax. Retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/index.asp

Risk Factors Occupational Contact

Incidental Contact

Bioterrorism

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Emergency preparedness and response: Anthrax. Retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/index.asp

United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS). (2009). Epizootiology and ecology of anthrax. Retrieved from http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergingissues/downloads/anthrax.pdf

Examples of Potentially At-Risk Groups

(Primarily Occupational)

Agricultural WorkersVeterinary ProfessionalsTaxidermistsLaboratory WorkersResearchersPublic Health ProfessionalsZoo/Wildlife ProfessionalsHide/Leather Industry WorkersFood Industry WorkersHunters

Animal CaretakersMilitary PersonnelGovernment/Public Servants (i.e. Postal Workers)Law Enforcement PersonnelSecurity PersonnelShipping Industry PersonnelAcademia

Prophylactic Measures

Vaccine- Available, but not to the general public

Antibiotics- Mainly used for treatment, but may be used in certain circumstances

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Emergency preparedness and response: Anthrax. Retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/index.asp

Preventive Measures

Do not handle live or dead animals suspected of having anthrax

Do not consume meat or other products from animals suspected of having anthrax

Do not handle hides, hair, or wool from animals suspected of having anthrax

Do not open suspicious packages or mail

Always wash hands thoroughlyCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Emergency preparedness and response: Anthrax. Retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/index.asp

Who to Contact if You Suspect Anthrax

Exposure/Infection

Health care provider Veterinarian Law enforcement Health departments State departments of

agriculture

Final Thoughts

Educate Take Precautions Contacts List Review Risk Factors Remain Calm

Additional ResourcesAmerican Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Frequently Asked Questions About Anthrax.http://www.avma.org/public_health/biosecurity/anthrax_faq.asp

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Emergency Preparedness and Response: Anthrax.http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/index.asp

National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Understanding Anthrax.http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/anthrax/Pages/default.aspx

PubMed Health. Anthrax.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002301/

Additional ResourcesUnited States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS).http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Biological Attack: The Danger.http://www.dhs.gov/files/publications/gc_1245183510280.shtm

World Health Organization (WHO). Guidance on Anthrax: Frequently Asked Questions.http://www.who.int/csr/disease/Anthrax/anthraxfaq/en/

ReferencesCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2011). Emergency preparedness and response: Anthrax. Retrieved from http://emergency.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/index.asp

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2008). Public Health Image Library (PHIL). Retrieved from http://phil.cdc.gov/phil/home.asp

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). (2010). Anthrax. Retrieved from http://www.niaid.nih.gov/topics/anthrax/Pages/default.aspx

PubMed Health. (2012). Anthrax. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002301/

Shadomy, S. V., & Smith, T. L. (July 1, 2008). Zoonosis update: Anthrax. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 233(1), 63-72. Retrieved from http://www.avma.org/avmacollections/zu/javma_233_1_63.pdf

ReferencesSouthern Illinois University School of Medicine (SIU). (2010). Anthrax: Bacteriology , clinical presentations and management. Retrieved from http://www.siumed.edu/medicine/id/anthrax.htm

United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS). (2009). Epizootiology and ecology of anthrax. Retrieved from http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergingissues/downloads/anthrax.pdf

United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). (2011). Biological attack: The danger. Retrieved from http://www.dhs.gov/files/publications/gc_1245183510280.shtm

World Health Organization (WHO). (2012). Global alert and response: Anthrax. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/csr/disease/Anthrax/en/