Anthrax Outbreak Investigation among Humans and Animals in Northern Ghana: Case Report

Abstract

Background: Anthrax is a bacterial infection that affects both animals and humans. It is caused by gram positive bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. It is an acute, specific infectious disease of mainly grass eating animals including cattle, sheep, goats and pigs and common in areas where livestock are raised. It affects humans when exposed to the fur, blood or carcass of an infected animal. A single case of anthrax in any given geographical area has the potential to result in an outbreak in both humans and animals if not handled effectively and in a timely manner. Anthrax disease occurrence is irregular in the northern regions of Ghana with yearly outbreaks.

Modeling the environmental suitability of anthrax in Ghana and estimating populations at risk: Implications for vaccination and control

“…In Ghana, the livestock population we identified at risk comprises approximately ≈ 25% of the total national livestock population [ 29 ]. Based on official vaccination reports ( Fig 4 ), our estimates of the livestock populations at risk indicates poor vaccine coverage; this finding is consistent with ongoing outbreaks in endemic communities in Ghana where vaccination has not been officially documented for at least a decade [ 39 ]. Barriers to vaccine uptake such as practices of livestock keepers my also affect coverage [ 1 , 40 ].…”

Anthrax Outbreaks among Domestic Ruminants Associated with Butchering Infected Livestock and Improper Carcass Disposal in Three Districts of Uganda, 2016-2018

“…Vaccination is generally considered a cost-effective prevention method for anthrax among livestock, and, as a result, among humans (4,16,17,30,31)…”

“…The most susceptible species are cattle, sheep, and goats, but anthrax can also infect other mammals such as pigs, horses, dogs, cats, and primates (4,5). The incubation period of anthrax in susceptible livestock is 1-14 days after oral exposure (3).…”

Prevention, detection, and response to anthrax outbreak in Northern Tanzania using one health approach: A case study of Selela ward in Monduli district

“…A confirmed case was any suspect case with the above symptoms and laboratory confirmation of B. anthracis from a clinical specimen [28,29]. A suspected animal case of anthrax occurs when the animal suffers a sudden death accompanied with one of the following signs: Lack of rigor mortis (legs not stiff), blood oozing from the nose, mouth, and other natural body openings, subcutaneous swellings, rapid bloating, and dark non-clotting blood [30]. Additional symptoms in cattle, horses, sheep, and some wild herbivores include fever, dyspnea, agitation, and convulsions followed by death [31].…”

“…After vortexing, the master mix for 10 s and in each well of the PCR plate, 22.5 µl of the master mix, and 2.5 µl of DNA template and control sample were added into a PCR plate. The mixture was put into the PIKO -real-time qPCR machine which was connected to a computer with an installed software and the results were read according to a quick guide of PCR analysis procedure version 4 of 2016 with a CQ value range of [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. From each sample, we ran against anthrax (B. anthracis) virulence plasmid Pag (pOX1) and Cap (pOX2) as described by Fasanella et al [32].…”