Two People Test Positive for Anthrax in Odisha; Here’s What You Need To Know About The Illness

two people test positive for anthrax in odisha; here’s what you need to know about the illness

Officials said that two people tested positive for anthrax in Odisha’s Koraput district. Reports state that the patients who hail from Padaiguda village in Koraput block were admitted to the SLN Medical College and Hospital. The officials said that the outbreak was linked to a feast that took place on June 14 wherein at least 10 families of the village had consumed the meat of a cattle that died of anthrax.

Muktikanta Khatua, the Additional District Public Health and Medical Officer said, “Following the incident, 410 people were screened as a precautionary measure. Blood samples of six villagers were sent for laboratory tests, and two of them were found positive for anthrax.” Khatua said both patients are stable now.

He said, “Anthrax is spread by consuming the meat of cattle that have died of the disease. We are raising awareness among villagers to avoid consuming such meat and are taking steps to prevent the disease from spreading to other areas.”

What is anthrax?

Anthrax is a rare condition which is caused by a spore-forming bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. This is a condition which usually affects livestock and wild game. However, humans might get infected through direct or indirect contact with sick animals.

Mayo Clinic says that 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). “Usually, anthrax bacteria enter the body through a wound in the skin. You can also become infected by eating contaminated meat or inhaling the spores.”

Symptoms of anthrax

The symptoms of anthrax depend on the type of the illness. The symptoms tend to appear within a week of exposure. Here, take a look at some of the symptoms of anthrax depending on the type.

• Chest pain and trouble breathing
• Fatigue
• Fever and profuse sweating
• Headache or muscle aches
• Itchy blisters or bumps
• Skin ulcer (sore) with a black centre
• Nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain and bloody diarrhoea
• Swollen lymph nodes.

Risk factors of anthrax

People who have a high risk of contracting anthrax must come in direct contact with anthrax spores. Here are some of the factors that make you more likely to contract anthrax.

• If you’re in the military and deployed to an area with a high risk of exposure to anthrax
• If you work with anthrax in a laboratory setting
• If you handle animal skins, furs or wool from areas with a high incidence of anthrax
• If you work in veterinary medicine, especially if you deal with livestock
• If you handle or dress game animals
• If you inject illegal drugs, such as heroin

Complications of anthrax

Here, take a look at some of the complications of anthrax.

• Sepsis: When your body is unable to respond to infection normally, leading to damage of multiple organ systems.
• Hemorrhagic meningitis: The condition can also cause inflammation of the membranes and fluid covering the brain and spinal cord which can lead to massive bleeding and death.