Thousands of people believed to have been exposed to anthrax-infected beef

[link to www.newera.com.na]


By Friday afternoon the Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital was already swamped by hundreds of people from Omadhiya, a village near the Onandjokwe Hospital and other areas in the Oniipa Constituency where the outbreak was reported.
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacteria called Bacillus anthracis. It mostly affects herbivores, but it can also be transmitted to human beings, and other animals. Anthrax is deadly and its spores are soil-borne.

It can survive harsh conditions and live for more than 70 years after the carcass of an infected animal has been buried. The bacteria is transmitted to human beings if a person with cuts on the skin gets in contact with an infected animal or if a person consumes meat of an infected animal or if they inhale anthrax spores.

This contagious bacteria can also be transmitted among humans. The Oshikoto regional health directorate has cautioned the relatives of people suspected to be suffering from anthrax to use gloves or plastic bags to cover their hands when touching the victims, and potential victims should be taken to a hospital immediately.
“So many people ate the meat of these cattle. Some were even selling kapana. That is why we believe that a high number of people are at risk,” said Oshikoto Regional Health Director Pater Kefas Angala.
According to Angala, some of the people who turned up for treatment were already showing symptoms of anthrax infection, which include a skin rash and stomach ache.