Fourth confirmation of anthrax incident
Rewritten Article:
Hey there! Let's dive into the latest news from Mukdahan, Thailand, where health officials are battling an anthrax outbreak.
The Boston Public Health Office reported a new case of anthrax on Tuesday, escalating the total number of cases in this outbreak to four, with one unfortunate fatality. According to a reliable source, three patients are currently hospitalized - two at Mukdahan Hospital and one at Don Tan Hospital.
You might be wondering about the people potentially exposed to anthrax? Out of a total of 636 at-risk individuals, 538 have completed a seven-day observation period. The remaining 98 will finish their observation on Wednesday. Most of these individuals were exposed through skin contact or by consuming contaminated meat, and the disease incubation period is typically seven days.
To keep you safe, authorities are advising the public to steer clear of raw beef and only consume meat that has been cooked at a heat of at least 120°C for 30 minutes or boiled for the same duration. This prevents any potential anthrax bacteria from wreaking havoc.
Dr. Weerawat Manosuthi, the Department of Disease Control's spokesperson, emphasized that the outbreak is currently confined to a specific area within Don Tan district, which has been classified as an outbreak zone. Health officials are focusing on early detection of the disease among potential patients and at-risk groups.
Dr. Weerawat referred to the initial three cases, stating that they became ill after assisting in the butchering of a cow that died under mysterious circumstances. One has since passed away, and the other two are receiving treatment. Those who were involved in the butchering process are still under observation.
Dr. Weerawat cautions residents to avoid butchering or consuming questionable meat, especially during local festivals. It's worth noting that anthrax is commonly found in cattle, buffalo, goats, and sheep, but, in this case, beef appears to be the source.
The Mukdahan provincial livestock office has taken preventative measures by quarantining 124 animals for 30 days and administering antibiotics and vaccines to over 1,200 animals within a 5-kilometer radius. Unfortunately, at the moment, there's no vaccine available for humans. However, infections can be effectively treated with intravenous antibiotics.
While inhalation-caused infections are rare and typically severe, skin infections are more common. They are usually less serious but can become fatal if left untreated. So, remember to stay informed, stay healthy, and stay safe!
- In Mukdahan, Thailand, health officials are battling an anthrax outbreak, with four reported cases so far, including one fatality.
- Most of the at-risk individuals exposed to anthrax have completed a seven-day observation period, and the remaining 98 will finish on Wednesday.
- Anthrax incubation period is typically seven days, with most cases arising from skin contact or consuming contaminated meat.
- To prevent anthrax, authorities advise avoiding raw beef and cooking meat at 120°C for 30 minutes or boiling it for the same duration.
- Dr. Weerawat Manosuthi advises Mukdahan residents to avoid butchering or consuming questionable meat, especially during local festivals, and to remember that anthrax is common in cattle, buffalo, and other livestock, with beef being the apparent source in this outbreak.
