The Landscape of Anthrax Prevention and Control: Stakeholders’ Perceptive in Odisha, India

Abstract

The prevalence and outbreaks of anthrax are interlinked with the animal-environment-human context, which signifies the need for collaborative, trans-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approaches for the prevention and control of anthrax. In India, there are hardly any shreds of evidence on the role of various stakeholders’ on anthrax prevention and control. Therefore, this study addressed the experiences of various stakeholders on anthrax prevention and control strategies in Odisha, India. A qualitative explorative study was carried out using 42 in-depth-interviews among the stakeholders from health, veterinary and general administrative departments from the block, district, and state level. Two major themes emerged: (1) Epidemiological investigation of anthrax in Odisha, India, and (2) Biological and social prevention strategies for anthrax in Odisha, India. The study emphasizes setting up the surveillance system as per standard guideline, and strengthening the diagnostic facility at a regional medical college laboratory to avoid delay. Moreover, it emphasizes step-up inter-sectoral co-ordination, collaboration and sensitization among health, veterinary, forestry, education, nutrition and tribal welfare departments at all levels in order to reduce the prevalence and control the outbreaks of anthrax in Odisha state. It also recommends raising community literacy, in particular on safe carcass disposal, changing behavior on dead-livestock consumption, and compliance with livestock vaccinations.

Knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) towards Anthrax among livestock farmers in selected rural areas of Bangladesh

“…Among south Asian countries, Bangladesh and India are endemic for anthrax (Nayak et al., 2019). But in this endemic area, anthrax monitoring programs such as diagnosis, case recording and submission of the data to the central authority remain inadequate (Sahoo et al., 2020).…”

One Health approach for elimination of human anthrax in a tribal district of Odisha: Study protocol

“…The study is for three years based on implementation models including surveys (baseline and end line), capacity building, and sensitization of various stakeholders from the department of health, veterinary, and forest systems at various levels in a tribal district of Odisha, India. The prevalence and outbreaks of anthrax are interlinked with the animal-environment-human context, which signifies the need for collaborative, transdisciplinary, and multi-sectoral approaches for the prevention and control of anthrax [ 24 ]. The intervention builds upon a preliminary study to strengthen the health care and surveillance system for early reporting of suspected cases of human and animal anthrax by developing and implementing the “One-Health” strategy.…”

A qualitative exploratory study using One Health approach for developing an intervention package for elimination of human anthrax in an endemic district of Odisha, India

“…In the last few years, anthrax outbreaks have been reported many times in Odisha where both humans and animals have been affected by the disease 10 . The prevalence of anthrax is higher among the tribal districts of Odisha like Koraput where a majority of the population rely on animal products for their livelihood and food requirement 1 10 .…”

“…In the last few years, anthrax outbreaks have been reported many times in Odisha where both humans and animals have been affected by the disease 10 . The prevalence of anthrax is higher among the tribal districts of Odisha like Koraput where a majority of the population rely on animal products for their livelihood and food requirement 1 10 . Major challenges for controlling anthrax were poor veterinary services with lack of manpower, inadequate healthcare workforce, vaccine shortage, delayed outbreak reporting and response 2 11 .…”