For about two weeks, cases of anthrax (Bacillus anthracis) were reported in various localities including "Corail" of the eighth communal section of Petit-Goâve.

According to a preliminary assessment, drawn up by the peasants: 6 oxen died from this disease and 9 people are currently infected... Worse, the meat of infected animals have been sold in the market, a situation that constitutes a major risk for consumer health.

Urgent action must be taken by the communal agriculture office and the UCS-Goâvienne to curb and eradicate the disease.

Learn more about Anthrax :

Anthrax is an infectious disease that affects both the animal and human, very resistant to destruction, Bacillus anthracis is resistant to drought, heat, ultraviolet rays, gamma rays and many disinfectant substances.

Infection usually results from exposure to spores from infected live or dead animals or contaminated animal products. Transmission from human to human have not been proven, patients pose no danger and it is not necessary to isolate them. There are three forms of contamination :

Cutaneous :

Rare at animals, it represents 95% of infections in humans. It results from contact between a wound and spores. In 80% of cases the affected people heal. Complications progress to death in 5% to 20% of cases.

Gastrointestinal form :

This infection, which results from the consumption of contaminated meat, can be treated, but is deadly from 25% to 60% of cases, according to the rapidity of onset of care.

respiratory form :

This form of Anthrax omes from inhaling spores via contaminated particles / Pulmonary anthrax represents only 5% of cases but its mortality rate is estimated at between 90 and 100%.

Treatment :

Antibiotics suitable administered early in adequate doses and for long enough, have some effectiveness. There are various drugs and vaccines for human use.

HL/ HaitiLibre / Guyto Mathieu (Correspondant Petit-Goâve)