Download west nile encephalitis - Extension Veterinary Medicine

Anthrax Control
Program
4-H Veterinary Science
Extension Veterinary Medicine
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science
Texas A&M System
http://aevm.tamu.edu
Objectives
 Understand that because anthrax has been a
reportable disease, it has been controlled
 Understand that surveillance of a disease
prevents its spread
Reportable
Bacterial disease
Worldwide distribution
Endemic to U.S.
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Triangle of Uvalde, Ozona, Eagle Pass, TX
Affects numerous animal species
Primarily domestic and wild livestock
Zoonotic
Causative Agent
Bacterium - Bacillus anthracis
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Vegetative bacteria in animal
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Spore bacteria in environment
Transmission
Spores leave dead animal via hemorrhagic
exudates
Mouth, nose, anus and vulva
 Contain large numbers of bacteria

Contaminated soil

Spores remain viable for decades
Soil-borne – summer drought, following
rains
Soil-borne – summer rain, following
drought
Usually ingestion of spores
Incubation period is 1-20 days
Infections apparent after 3-7 days
Diagnosis
Ruminants
 Sudden death
 Staggering
 Trembling
 Dyspnea
 Fever
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Respiratory distress
Convulsions
Abortions
Bloody discharge
FATAL
Horses
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Sudden death
Fever
Chills
Anorexia
Depression
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Severe colic
Bloody diarrhea
Swelling
FATAL
Pigs
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Sudden death
Mild, chronic infections
Fever
Swelling
Enlarged lymph nodes
Usually recover
Dead animals
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Sudden death – blood poisoning
Rigor mortis absent
Rapid decomposition – extreme bloat
Dark blood
Enlarged spleen
Non-clotting blood
People

Wound infections – carbuncles
Image Illustrates the Typical Bloated Decomposition with the
Fore Legs Separated and Raised
Bacterial
Skin
Infection in
Human
Infected Doe; Blood from Nasal Cavity to Soil
Bacterial
Disease in
Animals with
Sudden Death
and Rapid
Bloat
Decomposition
Microscopic Stained Bacteria in Characteristic Chains
of Rods like Box Cars
Prevention
Vaccinate livestock
 Sterne-strain
 Live
 Endemic areas
Burn carcasses
 Do not move
Burn body remains
 Bones, antlers and horns
Regulation and Control
Texas FEAD Emergency Response Plan
 Identify
positive animals and destroy
 Reduce amount of time to get back test
results
 Track origin of suspect animals
Burn carcass and bedding
Don’t open carcass
Spores will not develop without oxygen
 Bacteria will decompose within a few days
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Vaccination of herd required
Quarantine of herd required for 10 days
after vaccination