Anthrax – Bulgaria
- September 25, 2021
- < 1 min read
Bulgarian shepherd in Shumen district contracts anthrax.
The case reported a cutaneous form of anthrax as the man fell ill after trying to treat the skin of a diseased animal. After examination by an infectious disease specialist, he was left for home treatment, and the diagnosis was confirmed by the laboratory results.
This is the first case of anthrax in the country this year, according to the National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.
Photo: Bacillus anthracis from an agar culture with spores (blue).
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It can occur in four forms: skin, lungs, intestinal, and injection. Anthrax is spread by contact with the bacterium’s spores, which often appear in infectious animal products.
The skin form presents with a small blister with surrounding swelling that often turns into a painless ulcer with a black center.
The inhalation form presents with fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
The intestinal form presents with diarrhea which may contain blood, abdominal pains, nausea, and vomiting.
The injection form presents with fever and an abscess at the site of drug injection.
Human anthrax is most common in Africa and central and southern Asia, though it can occur anywhere. Skin infections represent more than 95% of cases.
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