Anthrax is a dangerous disease affecting cattle, sheep, goats, and deer. Bacillus anthracis is the bacterium responsible for this disease. It is transmitted either by inhaling spores or ingesting contaminated grass. The symptoms, including high mortality, occur within 3 to 7 days after exposure.
In animals, death often occurs within two days of the onset of symptoms. The bacteria generate powerful toxins that cause severe disease symptoms. To protect animals, it is critical to prevent the spread of anthrax. Good cleanliness standards and quick treatment of diseased animals can aid in disease management.
Anthrax Disease Management in Cattle
Causes of Anthrax Disease in Cattle
Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacteria, causes anthrax. It affects all warm-blooded animals, including humans, and is especially lethal to herbivores like cattle. The incubation period can last between 1 and 17 days, depending on the method of transmission and the susceptibility of the infected party.
Infected animals with low resistance, like goats, horses, mules, and cattle, often suffer an acute or peracute reaction and die within 2 hours to 3 days of exposure. Carnivores and omnivores have some resistance to the disease but can still suffer serious illness or death.
Lifecycle of Anthrax Disease
Anthrax’s life cycle involves the bacterium’s presence in vegetative and spore forms. The disease-causing form is the vegetative form, which grows within infected animals and releases spores upon the host’s death if exposed to oxygen. Infected carcasses must be properly disposed of to prevent the spread of anthrax.
The disease can survive in the soil for over 50 years, resist disinfectants, and withstand extreme weather conditions. The disease can survive boiling water and remain active even if frozen. Once inhaled or consumed by an animal, the spores revert to the disease state and complete the life cycle.
What are the Different Kinds of Anthrax?
Anthrax is classified into three types: cutaneous, inhalation, and intestinal. Cutaneous anthrax is spread through the skin, inhalational anthrax is spread through the air, and intestinal anthrax is spread by eating contaminated meat. The mechanism of transmission has an impact on the symptoms of infection.
Cutaneous anthrax is contracted through cuts or skin abrasions. This form of anthrax results in a skin lesion, starting as a raised, itchy bump and evolving into a painless ulcer with a black center. Humans can contract this form by handling infected animal products or carcasses. If left untreated, cutaneous anthrax has a 20% death rate.
Ingestion anthrax occurs when an animal or human ingests Anthrax fragments, usually by eating contaminated plants or matter or consuming infected meat or milk. This form of anthrax infects the gastrointestinal tract and can lead to serious illness.
Inhalation anthrax is contracted by breathing in fragments of the bacteria, typically through grazing animals. Cattle are most susceptible to inhaling anthrax spores in the pasture. Humans are unlikely to contract inhalation anthrax unless handling infected carcasses.
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What are the Symptoms of Anthrax Disease?
Anthrax in cattle can cause symptoms such as lack of appetite, mood changes, swelling of lymph nodes, high fever, breathing difficulties, convulsions, erratic movements, and bloody discharge. These symptoms can ultimately lead to death if not treated properly. Depending on the type of anthrax an animal has, its symptoms can differ. In acute septicemia, death can happen within 48 to 96 hours.
Symptoms can include fever, appetite loss, digestive system problems, blood in the urine, and bloody diarrhea. Animals that are pregnant may lose their babies, and milk production may drop all of a sudden. Some of the last signs of death are depression, trouble breathing, and seizures. In peracute septicemia, convulsions can lead to death within 2 hours, and sudden death without signs is common.
Treatment and Control of Anthrax Disease
Early antibiotic treatment can effectively cure anthrax, particularly in the cutaneous form of the disease. However, due to the rapid and severe nature of the illness, treatment may not be possible in animals, especially in cases of acute septicemia that result in sudden death. In sub-acute cases, treatment may be helpful. Still, it is important to seek medical attention immediately to increase the chances of a successful outcome.
Preventive and Management Measures to Control Anthrax Disease
- Regular Vaccination: It is important to vaccinate animals in endemic areas on an annual basis to prevent the disease from occurring. The vaccination should be carried out at least a month before the expected disease outbreak.
- Preventing and controlling anthrax is important to protect both animals and humans. Regular livestock vaccination and treatment with antibiotics such as penicillin-G, tetracyclines, erythromycin, and chloramphenicol can help prevent and control the spread of anthrax disease.
- Proper Handling of Suspected Carcasses: It is important never to open a carcass of an animal suspected to have died from anthrax. Instead, contact a veterinarian immediately for guidance on control measures.
- Monitoring Symptoms: Be on the lookout for symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, depression, dullness, rapid pulse and heart rates, breathing difficulties, lameness in the affected leg, crepitation swelling over the hip, back, and shoulder, recumbency, and death within 12-48 hours.
- Implementing Control Measures: If the above symptoms are observed, it is important to seek veterinary advice and promptly implement the necessary measures. It can include culling infected animals, properly disposing of infected carcasses, and cleaning and disinfecting affected areas.
Right Time for Medication or Contact a veterinarian for advice on Anthrax Disease
Whenever an animal has signs such as high fever, lack of appetite, depression, fast pulse, and heart rates, trouble breathing, lameness in the afflicted limb, crepitation swelling across the hip, back, and shoulder, hot and painful swelling in the early stages, and death within 12-48 hours. In that case, a veterinarian should be contacted immediately for advice on control measures.
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How Common is Anthrax in India?
Anthrax is common in India, particularly in rural areas with many livestock. Outbreaks occur regularly, especially during monsoon season. It can infect humans through contact with infected animal products or carcasses. Despite measures to control it, anthrax remains a significant public health concern in India.
Conclusion
Anthrax is a common disease in cattle that causes fever, loss of appetite, and death. Regular vaccination, proper handling of infected carcasses, and early treatment with antibiotics can help prevent and control outbreaks.
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