ANTHRAX BACILLUS ANTHRAX Wes Loughman Adv. Vet. Science Rugby High School Rugby N.D. Instructor: Randal A. Cale Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office June 2002

ANTHRAX Caused by spore- forming bacterium called Bacillus anthracis Anthrax is an acute,febrile disease of virtually all worm- blooded animals, including man

ANTHRAX Anthrax is usually transmitted to humans secondary We usually get it from animals such as sheep, cattle, horses, goats, and pigs; pigs and horses rarely get anthrax

ANTHRAX There are three types of anthrax –Inhalation –Cutaneous –Gastrointestinal

ANTHRAX You can get anthrax by three ways Touch Breathing spores Or ingesting infected products

ANTHRAX The gastrointestinal is the least common do to proper cooking of meat products Cutaneous is the most common due to the spores are usually to large to be inhaled But animals can get infected consumption of infected feeds such as bone meal and meat

ANTHRAX Symptoms in pigs –Bloody face –Hemorrhage from nose –Fever –Respiratory distress –Sudden death –Swelled discolored neck –Blue skin

ANTHRAX Anthrax should be suspected if a sow is found dead and post-mortem Examination show large red lymph nodes under the skin of the neck and in the abdomen Discontinue immediately and veterinary help should be sought After bacilli have been discharged from an infected animal or exposed to free oxygen from an opened carcass, they form spores that are resistant to extremes of temp., chemical disinfectants, and desiccation –For this reason, the carcass of an animal dead from anthrax should not be necropsied

ANTHRAX Symptoms in cattle Sudden death fever Excitement followed by depression Difficulty breathing Uncoordinated movements Bloody discharges

ANTHRAX TREATMENT Penicillin Tetracyclines Amoxicillin Chloramphenicol Ciprofloxacin Doxycycline Erythromycin Gentamicin Streptomycin Sulfonamides

CONTAINMENT AND PREVENT SPREADING Notification of the appropriate regulatory officials Rigid enforcement of quarantine Prompt disposal of dead animals, manure, bedding, or other contaminated material by cremation or deep burial Isolation of sick animals and removal of well animals from the contaminated areas Disinfection of stables, pens, milking barns, and equipment used on live stock Use of insect repellents Control of scavengers that feed on animals dead from the disease Observation of general sanitary procedures by people who contact diseased animals

Bibliography Anthrax. Anthrax. Anthrax. Anthrax.