Anthrax – Kyrgyzstan

7 people have been hospitalized with Anthrax in the Jalal-Abad Region of Kyrgyzstan after contact with livestock or eating infected meat.

The circumstances are not clear but it seems as though the individuals had consumed infected meat. Other close contacts have been informed.

7 suspected cases so far, only one person has tested positive while others await their official test result. All 7 are in the hospital.

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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