Many outbreaks of human anthrax detected in Dien Bien

The Ministry of Health said on the afternoon of June 2 that according to a report from the Center for Disease Control of Dien Bien province, from May 5 to May 30, in Tua Chua district (Dien Bien), 3 outbreaks of cutaneous anthrax were recorded with 13 cases in Muong Bang commune and Xa Nhe commune.

No deaths have been recorded so far. All cases are related to the slaughter and consumption of buffalo and cow meat.

Phát hiện nhiều ổ dịch bệnh than trên người ở Điện Biên - Ảnh 1.

Skin lesions of anthrax patients. Illustration photo

To proactively prevent anthrax from spreading from animals to humans, on June 2, the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) issued an official dispatch requesting the Director of the Department of Health of Dien Bien province to direct local units to closely monitor the health status of those involved in slaughtering and using the same source of buffalo and beef as the above cases; monitor people in close contact with the cases; and handle the environment in the outbreak area according to regulations.

Monitor for anthrax in animals to take timely preventive measures in humans. Advise people not to slaughter and use food from sick and dead buffalo, cows, or horses of unknown origin.

The Department of Preventive Medicine also requested the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology to direct, guide and support localities in investigating, monitoring and tracking suspected cases and close contacts of infected cases; support localities in confirming tests on samples from suspected cases on humans...

Anthrax transmitted through open wounds on the skin is the most common form of the disease (accounting for 94-95%) and is less dangerous. The disease is also transmitted through the digestive tract with about 0.7% of cases of this type of disease. If you eat raw or undercooked meat from cattle infected with anthrax, the risk of infection through the digestive tract is very high.

In addition, the disease can also be transmitted through the respiratory tract. This is a rare but very dangerous disease, with a mortality rate of up to 90% if not treated promptly.

N. Dung

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