Mystery amid anthrax epidemic in Africa
Only a fraction of suspected cases in five countries resulted in positive anthrax tests. Some scientists say other causes cannot yet be ruled out.
Five African countries are grappling with anthrax outbreaks, with nearly 1,200 people affected so far. 'to date and 20 deaths, according to Le Monde. Health organization. But the official count belies any confusion about the exact nature and scale of the outbreaks, which could complicate efforts needed to contain them.
Of the 1,166 suspected anthrax cases in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, only 35 cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests. This is not unusual or unreasonable, experts said, especially in resource-limited areas.
But at least in Uganda, many suspected cases have given rise to results in negative anthrax tests. , raising the possibility that a second disease is circulating.
“It may simply be that the diagnostic tests are inadequate, or it may be that you have a number moderate anthrax infections. cases and simultaneously you have an outbreak of something else that might look like this,” said Dr. Andrew Pavia, an infectious disease expert at the University of Utah who has advised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on anthrax treatment guidelines.
Anthrax does not usually spread between humans, so outbreaks are so far thought to are limited to people who have consumed meat from infected animals. Uganda has now banned the sale of beef products.
“Even if a person with cutaneous anthrax got off a flight in Washington, D.C. , it wouldn't contaminate anyone... as long as they don't have a bag full of contaminated meat that they're passing around," Dr. Pavia said.
Anthrax is caused by an extraordinarily tough bacteria called Bacillus. anthracis which can survive in soil and water for decades or even centuries. Cattle become infected when they ingest spores in the soil while grazing, and they can become ill and die just two or three days later.
Cattle Outbreaks in cattle are particularly likely after the type of heavy rains that countries in eastern and southern Africa have recently experienced.
In humans, anthrax can cause skin ulcers with a black center and swelling, which can suffocate the patient if it extends to the chest.
Sporadic outbreaks of anthrax in animals Wild animals, livestock and humans are not uncommon in these countries. But having five outbreaks simultaneously "is probably a little strange, and that's probably what's getting the media attention," said Dr. William Bower, an anthrax expert at the C.D.C.
In Uganda, the first suspicious livestock death occurred in June in Kyotera district, and the first sudden human death was reported in July, according to an internal report obtained by the New York Times.
By the end of October, at least 24 animals had died. Since then, infected animals and people have appeared in Kalungu district, about 45 miles north of Kyotera.
But it was not until mid-October, after reports of a mysterious illness among the population, that district authorities began testing the skin lesions of affected people. The first two samples tested negative for anthrax and several other diseases.
Only a fraction of suspected cases in five countries resulted in positive anthrax tests. Some scientists say other causes cannot yet be ruled out.
Five African countries are grappling with anthrax outbreaks, with nearly 1,200 people affected so far. 'to date and 20 deaths, according to Le Monde. Health organization. But the official count belies any confusion about the exact nature and scale of the outbreaks, which could complicate efforts needed to contain them.
Of the 1,166 suspected anthrax cases in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, only 35 cases have been confirmed by laboratory tests. This is not unusual or unreasonable, experts said, especially in resource-limited areas.
But at least in Uganda, many suspected cases have given rise to results in negative anthrax tests. , raising the possibility that a second disease is circulating.
“It may simply be that the diagnostic tests are inadequate, or it may be that you have a number moderate anthrax infections. cases and simultaneously you have an outbreak of something else that might look like this,” said Dr. Andrew Pavia, an infectious disease expert at the University of Utah who has advised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on anthrax treatment guidelines.
Anthrax does not usually spread between humans, so outbreaks are so far thought to are limited to people who have consumed meat from infected animals. Uganda has now banned the sale of beef products.
“Even if a person with cutaneous anthrax got off a flight in Washington, D.C. , it wouldn't contaminate anyone... as long as they don't have a bag full of contaminated meat that they're passing around," Dr. Pavia said.
Anthrax is caused by an extraordinarily tough bacteria called Bacillus. anthracis which can survive in soil and water for decades or even centuries. Cattle become infected when they ingest spores in the soil while grazing, and they can become ill and die just two or three days later.
Cattle Outbreaks in cattle are particularly likely after the type of heavy rains that countries in eastern and southern Africa have recently experienced.
In humans, anthrax can cause skin ulcers with a black center and swelling, which can suffocate the patient if it extends to the chest.
Sporadic outbreaks of anthrax in animals Wild animals, livestock and humans are not uncommon in these countries. But having five outbreaks simultaneously "is probably a little strange, and that's probably what's getting the media attention," said Dr. William Bower, an anthrax expert at the C.D.C.
In Uganda, the first suspicious livestock death occurred in June in Kyotera district, and the first sudden human death was reported in July, according to an internal report obtained by the New York Times.
By the end of October, at least 24 animals had died. Since then, infected animals and people have appeared in Kalungu district, about 45 miles north of Kyotera.
But it was not until mid-October, after reports of a mysterious illness among the population, that district authorities began testing the skin lesions of affected people. The first two samples tested negative for anthrax and several other diseases.
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