Laos anthrax outbreak grows to 54 human cases
In a follow-up on the human anthrax outbreak in southern Laos, officials now report 54 human cases in Champassak province. The cases are linked to contact with tainted cattle.
This is up from 14 cases reported one week ago.
Authorities continue to investigate and are raising awareness of the disease in Soukhuma and Champassak -- the 2 affected districts. Refrain from touching sick or dead livestock.
Nanthasane Vannavong, the deputy head of the Health Department of Champassak Province, urged the public to seek immediate diagnosis and treatment at a hospital or medical center if they suspect they may have been infected.
Anthrax is a bacterial pathogen in livestock and wild animals. Ruminants such as bison, cattle, sheep and goats are highly susceptible, and horses can also be infected.
Anthrax is a very serious disease of livestock because it can potentially cause the rapid loss of a large number of animals in a very short time. Affected animals are often found dead with no illness detected.
When conditions become favorable, the spores germinate into colonies of bacteria. An example would be a grazing cow ingests spores that in the cow, germinate, grow spread and eventually kill the animal. Anthrax is caused by the bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. This spore forming bacteria can survive in the environment for decades because of its ability to resist heat, cold, drying, etc. This is usually the infectious stage of anthrax.
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There are no reports of person-to-person transmission of anthrax. People get anthrax by handling contaminated animal or animal products, consuming undercooked meat of infected animals and more recently, intentional release of spores.
There are three types of human anthrax with differing degrees of seriousness: cutaneous, gastrointestinal and inhalation.