Five things you need to know about Anthrax

 

 

After the Federal Government said the risk assessment conducted by the human health sector showed that the likelihood of an outbreak of anthrax disease in the country is high, here are some basic information you need to know about it.

 

1. Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. People can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. Anthrax can cause severe illness in both humans and animals.

 

2. Anthrax is not contagious, which means you can’t catch it from another person like the cold or flu.

 

3. People get infected with anthrax when spores get into the body. When anthrax spores get inside the body, they can be “activated.” The bacteria can then multiply, spread out in the body, produce toxins, and cause severe illness.

 

4. Domestic and wild animals can become infected when they breathe in or ingest spores in contaminated soil, plants, or water. These animals can include cattle, sheep, goats, antelope, and deer. In areas where domestic animals have had anthrax in the past, routine vaccination can help prevent outbreaks.

 

5. Anthrax is most common in agricultural regions ofCentral and South America, sub-Saharan Africa, central and southwestern Asia, southern and Eastern Europe, and the Caribbean.