Anthrax disease is a disease that is not foreign to our ears. Disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis bacterium is indeed a deadly and difficult to be destroyed. Several years ago, Bogor regency, namely Bojong Gede, Cibinong, Talbot, Cullinan, Citeureup, and Jonggol, tested positive for anthrax endemic areas. Victims are infected at the time, carrying more than 20 people, with two people died.
During the past 10 years, it's around five area affected by anthrax, namely, Purwakarta, Karawang, Bekasi, Bogor, and West Jakarta. Not impossible that this disease-prone areas continue to expand. Until now, the area of DKI Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, South Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, and East Timor, including the endemic category.
Anthrax Disease
Anthrax disease known to have existed since ancient Egyptian times. In the year 1613, Europe was hit by outbreaks of disease and carrying about 60 thousand people were killed. Anthrax disease was greatly feared, because the bacteria can cause deadly, easily spread, difficult to be destroyed and are zoonotic (can be transmitted to humans).
In 1877, Robert Koch tried grow this bacterium for the first time. His research showed the existence of sporadic fungus found in Bacillus species in the animal body.
These bacteria form spores stemmed and like to live and breed in the soil. The exit of the bacteria can occur in the long dry season, because cattle like to draw the grass dried up by the roots. As a result of all this anthrax spores survive in soil and stuck in the grass, carry out and turn into malignant bacteria. Livestock body condition is weak due to lack of food and stress by the temperature of the hot air, is also more convenience to the anthrax attacks.
Anthrax infected cattle characterized by high temperatures, appeared agitated, refused to eat, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, and sudden death within 1-2 days. Livestock are already dead by the anthrax should not be slashed, because the bacteria will spread into the soil, and survive in spore form for 30-50 years. Bacillus anthracis is not dead when boiled in hot water 100 degrees Celsius.
Infection in humans can occur from consuming meat that had been exposed to bacteria, the existence of reckless contact with a sick animal anthrax, or exposed to bacteria-contaminated soil. Anthrax bacteria can enter the body through the skin, lungs, or digestive tract. Common symptoms of anthrax attacks on humans in the form of a black wound, which becomes increasingly inflamed, form sores or ulcers on the skin, too bad hallucinations, and disrupted breathing.
Combating Anthrax
Measures to combat the anthrax attacks is to destroy cattle infected by way of combustion, since the bones are also able to spread anthrax. After that, how his funeral should be very deep and should not be careless, because of strong resistance once the anthrax bacteria.
For all even-hoofed animals that have not been affected, and revaksinasi should be vaccinated every six months. As for humans who contract can still be treated with antibiotics.
In Handbook of Animal Infectious Diseases Control mentioned, the destruction of Bacillus anthracis spores can be carried out, among others, to steam temperature 90 degrees Celsius for 45 minutes, boiling water or wet steam with temperatures of 100 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes, and dry heat at a temperature of 120 degrees Celsius for one hour. In addition, for the prevention of contaminated areas should be immediately abandoned, and only used for cash crops, such as trees.
Source material: Bulletin infosehat V Edition
