The patients, who are all males and with age ranging from 2 years to 52 years, exhibited signs and symptoms that are compatible with a cutaneous anthrax diagnosis.
A DOH team is now assisting local officials in coordination with the Bureau of Animal Industry to investigate whether there is an anthrax outbreak in the area.
Endemic in the Philippines, anthrax generally affects animal such as carabaos but humans can be infected after exposure to diseased or deceased animals. Three forms of the disease may exist, namely cutaneous, inhalational and gastrointestinal depending upon the mode of transmission. Both inhalational and gastrointestinal forms of anthrax are rarely found.
Cutaneous anthrax commonly occurs as a result of unsafe handling of dead animals that allow resilient anthrax spores to cause notable skin lesions via minor cuts in the exposed body surface. Complete recovery is expected as it has a very benign clinical course. Mild discomfort may be reported although the characteristic ulcers remain painless during the entire illness. Antibiotics maybe given as treatment and as prophylaxis to close contacts. Serious symptoms such as high grade fever, difficulty of breathing or any abnormal bleeding require immediate access to a hospital.
In communities where animals die unexpectedly, proper handling of carcass with personal protective equipment is important. Death of these animals should always be reported to proper authorities. Dead animals should not be used as food source to eliminate risk from illnesses associated with sick animals, among them Anthrax. Those who develop skin lesions 2-5 days after handling deceased animals or contaminated flesh should seek medical advice.
Vaccination of animals against anthrax is strongly recommended. Immediate reporting of unexpected animal deaths to proper authorities is also encouraged.
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