1. Anthrax Control Program 4-H Veterinary Science Extension Veterinary Medicine Texas AgriLife Extension Service College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science Texas A&M System http://aevm.tamu.edu

2. Objectives Understand that because anthrax has been a reportable disease, it has been controlled Understand that surveillance of a disease prevents its spread

3. Reportable Bacterial disease Worldwide distribution Endemic to U.S. Triangle of Uvalde, Ozona, Eagle Pass, TX Affects numerous animal species Primarily domestic and wild livestock Zoonotic

4. Causative Agent Bacterium - Bacillus anthracis Vegetative bacteria in animal Spore bacteria in environment

5. Transmission Spores leave dead animal via hemorrhagic exudates Mouth, nose, anus and vulva Contain large numbers of bacteria Contaminated soil Spores remain viable for decades

6. Soil-borne – summer drought, following rains Soil-borne – summer rain, following drought Usually ingestion of spores Incubation period is 1-20 days Infections apparent after 3-7 days

7. Diagnosis Ruminants Sudden death Staggering Trembling Dyspnea Fever Respiratory distress Convulsions Abortions Bloody discharge FATAL

8. Horses Sudden death Fever Chills Anorexia Depression Severe colic Bloody diarrhea Swelling FATAL

9. Pigs Sudden death Mild, chronic infections Fever Swelling Enlarged lymph nodes Usually recover

10. Dead animals Sudden death – blood poisoning Rigor mortis absent Rapid decomposition – extreme bloat Dark blood Enlarged spleen Non-clotting blood People Wound infections – carbuncles

11. Image Illustrates the Typical Bloated Decomposition with the Fore Legs Separated and Raised

12. Bacterial Skin Infection in Human Microscopic Stained Bacteria in Characteristic Chains of Rods like Box Cars Bacterial Disease in Animals with Sudden Death and Rapid Bloat Decomposition Infected Doe; Blood from Nasal Cavity to Soil

13. Prevention Vaccinate livestock Sterne-strain Live Endemic areas Burn carcasses Do not move Burn body remains Bones, antlers and horns

14. Regulation and Control Texas FEAD Emergency Response Plan Identify positive animals and destroy Reduce amount of time to get back test results Track origin of suspect animals

15. Burn carcass and bedding Don’t open carcass Spores will not develop without oxygen Bacteria will decompose within a few days Vaccination of herd required Quarantine of herd required for 10 days after vaccination