Anthrax is a serious disease caused by infection with anthrax bacteria or Bacillus anthracis. This bacterium is commonly found in soil. Although usually infecting animals, anthrax can also affect humans.
Anthrax attacks livestock or wild animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, horses, and pigs. Infection can occur when the animal inhales or swallows bacterial spores in the soil, plants, or water that have been contaminated with anthrax bacteria.
Anthrax is more common in developing countries and countries that do not have routine animal vaccination programs.
Anthrax disease in Indonesia
Anthrax is still an endemic disease in Indonesia. Cases of anthrax are still reported to appear in several areas, namely Yogyakarta, Gorontalo, West Sulawesi, South Sulawesi, Central Java, East Java and East Nusa Tenggara. The last case occurred in 2017 in East Java and Yogyakarta.
Cases of anthrax often appear at the beginning of the year to coincide with the rainy season in Indonesia. The Ministry of Health is also still taking steps to anticipate and monitor anthrax more closely as it approaches the days of religious celebrations, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, where many people consume animal meat on those days.
Transmission of Anthrax in Humans
A person can get anthrax in about 1 to 5 days after exposure to the anthrax bacteria. When they are in the body, anthrax bacteria will multiply and produce toxins that can cause anthrax disease.
The process of transmission of anthrax to humans can be through several ways, namely:
Anthrax infection through open sores on the skin
This is the most common mode of transmission of anthrax in humans. Symptoms include:
- Reddish bumps appear on the skin, with a blackish center. This lump feels itchy and sore.
- Swelling and pain in the lymph nodes around the infected skin.
- Muscle ache.
- Fever.
- Limp.
- Nauseous vomit.
Anthrax infection through the respiratory tract
This can happen when someone breathes air that is contaminated with anthrax bacteria, so that bacteria can enter the lungs. Signs of someone getting anthrax through the air are:
- Sore throat.
- Hard to breathe.
- High fever.
- Discomfort in the chest.
- Muscle ache.
- Pain when swallowing.
- Nausea.
- Coughing up blood.
Despite treatment, fatal complications from anthrax infection in the respiratory tract sometimes still occur.
Anthrax infection through the digestive tract
Drinking water or consuming meat that has been infected with anthrax bacteria without processing it until it is cooked can also make a person infected with this disease. Contamination through this method will attack the organs in the digestive system. Some of the symptoms of anthrax that affect the digestive tract are:
- Fever.
- Nausea.
- Gag.
- Your appetite is gone.
- Diarrhea with blood.
- Throat pain.
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Stomach ache.
- Headache.
Apart from the three ways above, the bacteria that cause anthrax can also enter the human body through syringes. Transmission of anthrax through this method usually occurs in injecting drug users who use needles in turns.
Treatment and Prevention of Anthrax Disease
Anthrax can be cured by administering antibiotics and anti-poison substances to neutralize toxins from anthrax bacteria. However, despite treatment, fatal complications from anthrax infection sometimes still occur.
Therefore, it would be far better if this disease could be prevented. The trick is to:
- Perform anthrax vaccination in humans and livestock.
- Avoid direct contact with farm animals or wild animals that have not been vaccinated.
- Cook the meat until it is completely cooked.
If not treated immediately, anthrax can cause severe complications, such as sepsis, meningitis, and even death. Therefore, if you experience symptoms of anthrax after consuming animal meat or contact with farm animals or wild animals, immediately consult a doctor.
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