Anthrax awareness

Dear Readers,

The unprecedented and recent increase in Anthrax infections in the U.S.A., our close neighbour, makes it very necessary for us to consider the possibility of Anthrax infections occuring in our own citizens. We all need to have an increased AWARENESS of Anthrax and how to recognise its occurrence. An incubation period of up to seven days makes it quite possible for someone travelling from the U.S.A. and infected with Anthrax to develop the disease in Jamaica.

Anthrax is a bacteria which is most often found in hoofed animals such as cows, horses, goats and sheep. It was last found in the Caribbean 20 years ago.

In human beings it has three presentations:

Cutaneous (skin) infection

Pulmonary (lung) infection

Gastro-intestinal infection

Cutaneous Anthrax

This occurs as a small pimple on the skin, which changes to a depressed black ulcer associated with some swelling of the surrounding tissues.

Intestinal Anthrax

This follows the consumption of contaminated food and causes an inflamation of the intestine. The person infected with intestinal Anthrax complains of:

Fever

Loss of appetite

Nausea

Vomiting/vomiting blood

Abdominal pain

Severe diarrhoea

Pulmonary (Inhalation) Anthrax

Symptoms of inhalation Anthrax initially resemble the common cold and flu.

Headache

Runny nose

Sore throat

Cough

Fever

Tiredness

Muscle aches

After a few days, the person develops severe breathing problems which progress to shock. Lung Anthrax is the most lethal form and often results in death.

Anthrax is NOT SPREAD by PERSON TO PERSON CONTACT and this is useful in preventing the spread of the infection. It is NOT CONTAGIOUS. However, once diagnosed and once the source of the infection has been determined, then all individuals who were EXPOSED to the infection should also be treated. Even if they do not have symptoms.

For the best results, Anthrax infection requires EARLY treatment with antibiotics. Many antibiotics can be used, with a high success rate, to treat Anthrax. These antibiotics include PENICILLIN and DOXYCYCLINE as well as the new highly publicised CIPROFLOXACILLII. Although a vaccine against Anthrax does exist, it is available in only small amounts to the U.S. Army and its fighting allies. There will be NO VACCINE AVAILABLE to the citizens of Jamaica in the forseable future. We therefore will have to depend on:

1) A high level of awareness and suspicion in regular people;

2) Early diagnosis;

3) Early treatment, to ensure that Anthrax does not take any Jamaican lives if it presents in our island.

So far, in the U.S.A., most Anthrax infections have been strongly linked to letters received in the mail. The Ministry of Health suggests that the following actions be taken if suspicious mail is received by anyone:

Do NOT SNIFF the package

Do not SHAKE the envelope

Do not clean up any spilled powder or liquid.

Put the envelope or package into a plastic bag or cover it with clothing or a garbage bin.

Turn off all fans and all air conditioning units.

Leave the room and close the door/windows.

Wash your hands with soap and water.

Remove contaminated clothing and put them in a bag, then shower with soap and water.

call 110 or 119 and report the incident.

Make a list of all the people who were with you when you opened the letter and give this list to the authorities.

And remember, DO NOT PANIC. Despite several false scares, there are presently no documented Anthrax infections in Jamaica at this time. With the knowledge that Lifeline has provided you with today, you will know what to do if you are concerned about a possible source of anthrax.

Note: Last week the term BETA BLOCKER was used instead of BETA STIMULANT or BRONCHODILATOR in the treatment of Asthma. Lifeline apologises for this mistake.

By Dr. A.J. MORGAN

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