Anthrax in Africa
More suspected human cases reported in Zambia and Zimbabwe
The Ministries of Health (MoH) for the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe reported 32 additional suspected anthrax cases in the past week.
In Zambia, officials reported the MoH reported 17 new suspected cases and no new deaths of anthrax.
Cumulatively, 352 suspected cases and four deaths (CFR: 1.1 % ) of cutaneous anthrax have been reported this year from seven of 10 provinces in Zambia.
Zimbabwe officials reported 15 new suspected cases and no new deaths of cutaneous anthrax from Gokwe South and North districts, Midlands province.
Cumulatively, 384 suspected cases and no deaths of cutaneous anthrax have been reported from one of 10 provinces in Zimbabwe.
Since the beginning of this year, a total of 741 human cases (3 confirmed; 738 suspected), four suspected and no confirmed deaths of anthrax have been reported in three African Union Member States (AU MS): Uganda (5 human cases; 0 deaths), Zambia (352; 4) and Zimbabwe (384; 0).
In addition, Ghana and Nigeria have reported animal anthrax outbreaks accounting for 134 animal cases, including 121 deaths (90%).
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Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax can be found naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals around the world. Although it is rare, people can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
Cutaneous  anthrax occurs when the spore (or possibly the bacterium) enters a cut or abrasion on the skin. It starts out as a raised bump that looks like an insect bite. It then develops into a blackened lesion called an eschar that may form a scab. Lymph glands in the area may swell plus edema may be present. This form of anthrax responds well to antibiotics. If untreated, deaths can occur if the infection goes systemic. 95% of cases of anthrax are cutaneous.
I have a plant-derived compound that is particularly toxic to members of the genus Bacillus. Bacillus subtilis is dead in 8 minutes, Bacillus cereus (closely related to B. anthracis) in less than 2 minutes. The plant is edible and early tests indicate that the extract is non-toxic to humans. Moreover it's cheap and easy to prep the extracts. Minimum bactericidal levels are typically 15ug/mL. I suggest this could have promise?