Anthrax
Peracute septicemic disease of animals caused by Bacillus anthrasis, common in cattle. Commnunicable to man.
Clinical Symptoms-
Hyperpyrexia, bleeding from natural orifices, sudden death.
Confirmation
Examination of blood smears. Tarry black blood. Spleen enlarged 8 - 10 times and black. Send either blood or piece or ear neatly packed, for laboratory confirmation (Ascoli's precipitation test and Guinea pig inoculation test.)
Treatment :
Crystalline Pencillin 40 - 80 Lakh i.u. iv and procaine penicilin 40 lakh im. Hyperimmune anti Anthrax serum 100 -200 ml, iv is specific. Repeat crystalline penicillin at 3 hourly interval.
TERRAMYCIN or OXYSTECLIN in high doses iv could also be used.
Prophylaxis -
Anthrax spore vaccine 1 ml, sc Spore vaccine to be handled with great caution and used only where repeated outbreaks are confirmed.
Immunity :
one year. Annual revaccination in enzootic areas. Do not open carcass if Anthrax is suspected. Deep burial of carcass and disinfection of cattle shed.