I am Dr. Md. Mushtaq Wadud. I have completed my DVM and Masters degree from Hajee Mohammed Danesh Science and Technology University, HSTU, Bangladesh.

1. ANTHRAX
Dr. Md. Mushtaq Wadud
DVM, MS (HSTU), CT (Chennai)

2. Introduction
Anthrax is a peracute disease of all warm
blooded animal characterized by septicemia
and sudden death accompanied by tarry
colored unclotted from the natural body orifices,
failure of blood clot, absence of rigormortis and
the presence of splenomegaly.

3. Epidemiology
 Anthrax occurs worldwide and is irregularly distributed
in districts where repeated outbreaks occurs.
 Herbivores are mainly affected. In addition with
ruminants, carnivore may be affected. Elephant may
be infected by Anthrax.
 Typically Anthrax occurs during the warm, dry summer
months July to September when the grasses are dry
and dusty.
 Warm blooded animal including human are susceptible
to the disease.
 Anthrax spores remain viable in the nature for 10-60
years.
 Incubation period is usually 3-7 days but can ranges
from 1-14 days.

4. Etiology
 Anthrax is a zoonotic disease (could be
transferred from animals to humans) caused
by the spore-producing bacterium Bacillus
anthracis.
 Bacillus anthracis bacterial spores are soil-borne.
 People can get anthrax if they are exposed to the
spores.

5. Bacillus anthracis
Characteristics
 Gram +
 Rod
 Spore forming
 Obligate aerobic
 Facultative intracellular
 Encapsulated (Capsule could be
demonstrated during growth in
infected animals)
 Non-motile
 Spores are formed in culture,
dead animal's tissue but not in
the blood of infected animals.
Reservoirs
• Humans (not normal
flora)
• Animals (primarily
horses, cattle, sheep
and swine)
• Soil (primarily spores).

6. Transmission
 The most common way a human can contract anthrax is
being in contact with infected animal products.
 Herbivore grazing animals can commonly contract
anthrax because anthracis lives in the soil.
 A person may get anthrax by inhaling the spores from
animal products, such as wool, have an open abrasion
on the skin be exposed to the spores, or eating
undercooked meat from an animal that was infected.
 Anthrax cannot be spread person-to-person.

8. Clinical Signs
Sudden death (often within 2 or 3 hours of
being apparently normal) is by far the most
common sign.
High temperature, difficulty breathing,
collapse and convulsions before death. This
usually occurs over a period of 24 hours.
After death blood may not clot, resulting in a
small amount of bloody discharge from the
nose, mouth and other openings.
Incubation Period: 3-7 days (can range from 1-20 days)

9. Clinical Signs
 Many species affected
 Ruminants at greatest risk
 Three forms
1. Peracute (Ruminants) 2. Acute (Ruminants and
equine) 3. Sub-acute-chronic (Swine, dogs, cats).

10.  Peracute- Sudden death
 Acute-Tremors, dyspnea, Bloody discharge from
body orifices.
 Chronic (rare)- Pharyngeal & lingual edema, Death
from asphyxiation.

11. Diagnosis
Necropsy not advised!
Do not open carcass!
 Samples of peripheral blood needed.
 Cover collection site with disinfectant soaked
bandage bandage to prevent leakage.

12. Treatment
1. If anthrax is confirmed, antibiotics should be
administered.
2. The CDC recommends ciprofloxacin and
doxycycline
3. If anthrax meningitis is suspected, doxycycline
shouldn't be used because it does not penetrate the
central nervous system very well.
4. Pregnant or milking cow may be treated with
amoxicillin.
5. For inhalation anthrax, it is recommended to use
multi-drug therapy, such as vancomycin, with the
chosen antibiotic.

13. Treatment
Treatment of animals at the earliest sign of illness will be effective
1. Combipen Vet/ SP-Vet/ Cipro-A Vet
2. Asta Vet
3. Keto-A Vet
4. Steron Vet
5. Normal Saline

14. Prevention & Control
Isolate sick animals
Proper disposal of dead carcass
Use insect control or repellants
Vaccination & Prophylactic antibiotics
Hygienic Measure