Investigation of an outbreak of cutaneous anthrax in Banlu village, Lianyungang, China, 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5365/wpsar.2012.3.4.005Abstract
Objective: After notification of a suspected case of anthrax following the slaughtering of a sick cow in Banlu village, an area that has not had any anthrax cases for decades, we aimed to confirm the outbreak, determine the transmission mechanism and implement control measures.
Methods: The outbreak response team interviewed all people that had contact with the sick cow. Three types of cases’ specimens were collected and tested by blood smear, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the gold colloid method. Traceback of potentially contaminated meat and cattle were conducted.
Results: There were five confirmed and three probable cases verified among 17 people who had contact with the sick cow – an attack rate of 47%. The incubation period ranged from one to eight days with a median of two days. All eight cases had lesions. All were native residents of Banlu village aged between 21 and 48 years. Five male cases were professional butchers; two females and one male were temporary assistants. The sick cow’s meat and hide, as well as all cattle processed at the same time, were recalled. Hypochlorite was used to disinfect the contaminated environments, butchering facilities and the contacts’ personal effects.
Conclusion: This outbreak was caused by anthrax bacillus transmitted to contacts from the tissues of the sick cow. Control of the outbreak was managed by recalling all potentially infected meat and disinfecting the slaughter house and the suspected cases’ personal effects and environment.
Downloads
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially.
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.
- The licensor cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the license terms.
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the license permits.
Notices:
When the Licensor is an intergovernmental organization, disputes will be resolved by mediation and arbitration unless otherwise agreed.
You do not have to comply with the license for elements of the material in the public domain or where your use is permitted by an applicable exception or limitation.
No warranties are given. The license may not give you all of the permissions necessary for your intended use. For example, other rights such as publicity, privacy, or moral rights may limit how you use the material.
