20 - Zoonitic Dz of Ruminants (anthrax, brucella, TB, TSE)

Question 1

How is anthrax transmitted to people?

Answer 1

Eating insufficiently cooked infected meat, scratches/abrasions of skin, inhalation of spores

Question 2

(anthrax)

What are the clinical manifestations in humans and animals? What is the most common manifestation of disease in people?

Answer 2

Humans (cutaneous most common)

Cutaneous: eschar, 5-20% fatality
Intestinal: vomiting, bloody diarrhea, septicemia, death – high fatality
Inhalation: flu-like for 1-3 days, then fever, septic shock, and death

Animals

Acute (horses): fever, depression, tachypnea, tachycardia, mm congestion and hemorrhage, GI stasis/colic, death, bloody discharges, clotting failure, splenomegaly
Subacute/chronic (pigs, dogs, cats): oropharyngeal lesions, swelling, intestinal lesions possible, may progress to septicemia, death (recovery not unusual though)
Cx in dogs/cats: dyspnea, dysphagic, regional lymphadenopathy, local inflammation, necrosis, edema of GI tract, sudden death

Question 3

How would you diagnose anthrax?

Answer 3

Collect sample of whole blood collected from jugular for smear and culture

If not possible and ear clipping can be used

Question 4

You suspect anthrax? Who are you going to call? What is the appropriate method of carcass disposal?

Answer 4

Must call Board of Animal Health immediately by telephone
Must be burned on farm (Exposed dirt should also be burned)

Question 5

(anthrax)

How would you prevent/treat?

Answer 5

• Remove animals from source of bacteria
• Treat sick animals with penicillin (beta-lactams)
• Vaccinate healthy animals
• Affected farms should be quarantined for at least two weeks past last anthrax illness