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Anthrax
Disease Name :-Anthrax
Species Affected: Bovine, caprine, ovine, equine, porcine, canine and human.
About the Disease:
Anthrax is a bacterial acute infectious disease that can infect all warms blooded animals. It is a
zoonotic disease and primarily an occupational disease. However, Anthrax is not contagious
disease. In India, it is enzootic in nature. It is an OIE Reportable Disease. It is also known as
Spleenic fever or Wool Sorter’s Disease. It is a soil borne infection. It is occasionally identified
in individuals who are exposed to dead animal and animal product such as wool and hair.
Animal Affected:
Anthrax affects most of the food animals. Most susceptible animal are cattle and sheep. Next in
order is horse and pig. The disease is more common in domestic animal like sheep, goat and
cattle.
Cause:
Anthrax is caused by a bacterial agent called Bacillus anthracis, spore forming, Gram positive
that can survive long period in soil for up to 50 years. Animals get infection from contaminated
feed and fodder through oral routes.
Symptoms:
The Symptoms vary depending up to the type of exposure. Small ruminants Sheep and Goats and
also cattle infected with Anthrax generally die suddenly of per-acute case. Sick animals are
rarely seen because death usually occurs within 12 or 24 hours without showing signs. Very
rarely chronic cases are seen. Few visible symptoms are;
1. Sudden rise in body temperature (104-109 ◦F)
2. Loss of appetite
3. Severe depression or dullness
4. Suspended rumination.
5. Increase respiration and heart rate.
6. Bloat or tympany.
7. Dyspnoea
8. Dysentery or diarrhea
9. Bleeding from natural orifices/openings like anus, nostrils, mouth, vulva etc. after death.
10. Sudden death in per acute cases
Control and Management:
To prevent this disease, the following points should be kept in minds:
1. Identification and isolation of affected animals.
2. To prevent Anthrax, carefully handle dead animals suspected of having Anthrax and
carcass should not be opened.
3. Carcass should be buried by deep burial method with quick lime.
4. Provide good ventilation when processing hides, fur, hair or wool.
5. Strict quarantine arrangement should be made in the disease prone areas.
6. Annual vaccination of susceptible animal usually cattle, sheep and goat in area prone to
diseases.
7. Never conduct postmortem of the annual suspected to be died of Anthrax.
8. Destroy contaminated feed, fodder and bedding materials by burning.
9. Through disinfection of cattle shed by using10 % caustic soda or formalin.
Vaccines:
Anthrax spore vaccine @ 1ml subcutaneous every year before onset of monsoon in area where
anthrax outbreak are common.
Meteorological Occurrence:
It usually occurs after major climatic change or after a heavy rainfall.
Courtesy:Dr. Peter N
JRF, NADRS, Manipur.
Disease Investigatory Laboratory
Directorate of Veterinary, & A.H. Services,
Manipur