Anthrax outbreak | One dead and hundreds exposed in Thailand, all you need to know about this infectious disease

Thailand reported its first anthrax-related death with two infections nationwide, prompting officials to issue a public health alert after hundreds were identified as potentially exposed to the deadly bacteria.

According to officials, at least 638 people have been identified as being potentially exposed to 'anthrax' after eating raw meat. Among them, 36 had participated in butchering livestock while the rest consumed raw or undercooked beef. Laos reported 129 anthrax infections last year, including one death, while Vietnam confirmed 13 cases in May 2023.

What is anthrax?

According to CDC, anthrax is a serious disease usually caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria. The bacteria are found naturally in soil and commonly affect livestock and wild animals. People are exposed to anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. People can breathe in anthrax spores, eat food or drink water contaminated with spores, or get spores in a cut or scrape on the skin.

Experts from the Mayo Clinic believe there's no evidence that anthrax is transmitted from person to person, but it's possible that anthrax skin lesions may be contagious through direct contact or through contact with a contaminated object (fomite).

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms can include skin sores, vomiting and shock. Prompt treatment with antibiotics is preferred to cure most anthrax infections. However, patients who have inhaled anthrax are more difficult to treat and can be fatal, mentioned Mayo Clinic.

The treatment procedure involves the intake of antibiotics or even injectable antitoxins. As per Cleveland Clinic, a vaccine to prevent anthrax infection, BioThrax, also treats infected people. Treatment involves three doses of the vaccine over four weeks. Antibiotics are also administered at the same time.

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