Promptly bury an anthrax victim

By Charles Wendo Q: I have all along known anthrax as a cattle disease but recently, I heard about an outbreak of anthrax among human beings in America. Is this the same disease? Answer: Yes. There are many diseases that affect both animals and human beings and anthrax is one of them. Anthrax occurs worldwide and affects many animal species including livestock and game. Carnivorous animals and scavenger birds tend to be resistant but they carry the infection from one place to another. The bacteria that causes anthrax is widely found in soil but human beings do not usually get it directly. The epidemic originates from grass-eating animals especially in the dry season when the grass is so short that they can hardly graze without nibbling soil. The affected cattle in most cases die suddenly. Blood continues to ooze from the nostrils, ears, anus and vagina, even after death. The disease kills so fast that it does not give you time to realise that the cow is sick. If it goes slow, you may see some of the following symptoms: difficult breathing, trembling, high fever and diarrhoea which may be bloody. Pregnant cows may abort. As a rule, never touch the meat or carcass of an animal that has died of anthrax. Human beings contract anthrax by handling the carcass, eating the meat or inhaling the germs by coming close to the carcass. No amount of household cooking will render the meat safe for human consumption. Anthrax can be cured with antibiotics but with its speed, it may kill before treatment is effected. The carcass of an animal that has died of anthrax should be buried in a pit six feet deep, with a layer of lime. Wear protective clothing while handling the carcass. ends