Anthrax
什麼是Anthrax
Anthrax is a bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis bacteria, bacteria that live in soil, on plants and in water, usually in a resting phase called a spore. Anthrax most commonly affects wild and domesticated animals such as sheep, livestock and goats when these animals inhale the bacterial spores or ingest the bacteria while grazing.
Anthrax does, however, affect people if they come in contact with infected animals or animal products. When the Anthrax bacteria enter the body, the bacteria become activated and begin to multiply, producing toxins that cause illness.
您如何獲得Anthrax？
There are four types of Anthrax infection, depending on how a person comes in contact with the bacteria. 1. An individual can become infected with Anthrax by coming in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products such as wool, meat or hides and being infected through an open cut or sore (cutaneous Anthrax).
- An individual can become infected by inhaling Bacillus anthracis spores (inhalation Anthrax).
- An individual can become infected by eating undercooked meat of infected animals not vaccinated against Anthrax and/or of animals not inspected before slaughter (gastrointestinal Anthrax).
- Cases of individuals becoming infected with Anthrax through injection of contaminated heroin (injection Anthrax) have also been documented.
Anthrax is not contagious; you cannot catch Anthrax from another infected individual.
易感性和抵抗力
All persons are susceptible, however those working around infected animals or contaminated animal products are at increased risk of contracting Anthrax.
有哪些症狀？
Anthrax symptoms vary based on the type of infection.
- Cutaneous/injection Anthrax symptoms include grouping of small blisters/sores that may be swollen and itchy and a sore with a black, painless center that may appear after the small blisters. Sores most often appear on neck, face, arms or hands.
- Inhalation Anthrax symptoms include fever, chills, sweating, chest pain, shortness of breath, confusion, cough, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, headache, tiredness and body aches.
- Gastrointestinal Anthrax symptoms include fever, chills, flushed face, swelling of the neck or neck glands, sore throat, nausea, vomiting (could include blood in vomit), diarrhea (could include blood in stool), headache and stomach pain.
預防措施
有3種可供人類使用的炭疽疫苗。這些產品在美國，英國和俄羅斯生產。但是，這些疫苗通常在大多數國家/地區不可用。一般而言，該疫苗專供軍事用途或平民（通常為18至65歲之間，未懷孕或哺乳的人）使用，這種人感染該疾病的風險增加，例如實驗室工作人員，農民和獸醫等。
治療
The individual should seek medical care when they suspect that they have been exposed to Anthrax, even before symptoms appear. Early treatment significantly improves recovery outcomes. If left untreated, Anthrax can spread throughout the body and cause severe illness or death.
Diagnosis of Anthrax can be done by measuring Bacillus anthracis antibodies in the blood. Testing for Bacillus anthracis in a sample of blood, spinal fluid, respiratory secretions or through a skin lesion swab, can also be used to diagnose an Anthrax infection. Additionally, diagnosis of inhalation Anthrax can be done by x-ray.
An antibiotic or a combination of antibiotics are used to treat Anthrax. In addition, antitoxins can be used to eliminate Anthrax toxins produced in the body.
Often cutaneous Anthrax can be treated without hospitalization, however, gastrointestinal, injection or inhalation Anthrax are more serious forms and likely require hospitalization.
After exposure to and recovery from Anthrax, vaccination against Anthrax may also be recommended to reduce the risk of any further infection.
驗證
疫苗接種
通常在哪裡發生？
由於炭疽病在全世界範圍內的家畜和野生動物中發生，因此，只要有人與受感染的動物或動物產品接觸，人的炭疽感染就可能發生。但是，炭疽病最常見於中美洲和南美洲，撒哈拉以南非洲，中亞和西南亞，南部和東歐以及加勒比地區，這些地區的牲畜沒有常規接種炭疽疫苗。
