Two Cagayanos get suspected human anthrax
-Art Dumlao- — October 19, 2024
Two Cagayanos get suspected human anthrax
BAGUIO CITY (October 16, 2024)—Health authorities are probing the existence of human anthrax infection (AI) in Cagayan, at the heels of reports that two villagers from Sto. Niño town were reported to have contracted the disease after eating carabao meat, infected by the bacteria called Bacilus Anthracis.
Said bacteria is a gram-positive and rod-shaped bacterium that causes anthrax, a deadly disease to livestock and, occasionally, to humans.
Being infected with such bacteria is said to be fatal. Infection is indicated by inflammatory, black, necrotic lesions (eschars). The sores usually appear on the face, neck, arms, or hands. Fatal symptoms include a flu-like fever, chest discomfort, diaphoresis (excessive sweating), and body aches.
Anthrax can cause severe illness in both people and animals.
Humans can be infected by consuming meat of anthrax stricken animals.
The Cagayan health office is now looking into the possibilities of more infections. This, as reports came out that many villagers bought the meat of the infected carabao.
In December 2022, 12 cases of human infection were reported in Cagayan.
Of the 12, three were confirmed by the Department of Health.
