Published Date: 1996-07-13 23:50:00
Subject: PROMED-AHEAD: Anthrax - Russia
Archive Number: 19960713.1254

ANTHRAX - RUSSIA
================
Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 12:08:34 -0400
From: "Shest... N." <shest@gksen.ru>
Subject: Re: Siberian plague

This is from Shestopalov, Chief Epidemiologist, Russia:
Siberian plague.
----------------
On July 1-2, 3 cases of dermal type of Siberian plague [anthrax, or
"Siberian ulcer"] were registered at an agricultural plant Medvejinskoie,
Krasnogvardeisk district, Stavropol region. Diagnosis was confirmed
serologically. The source of the infection was a dead cow slaughtered
by the reason of the disease. [The original message is unclear as to how
many cattle were slaughtered, with or without clinical anthrax.]
Anti-epidemical and anti-epizootical activities are being executed. Formally
contacted (33 people, family members of the 3 men) and 224 inhabitants of
the settlement (workers at the plant; the 244 are the inhabitants of the
settlement that is located closely to the plant) are under medical control.
Emergency prophylaxis of risk contingent by tetracicline has been done.
On July 4, emergency conference of district anti-epidemiological comission on
the materials on Siberian plague disease was held.
---
Nikolay V.Shestopalov, MD, MPh
Ph. (095)973 2671, fax(095) 978 8403
Email: shest@gksen.ru
State Committee for Sanitary-and-Epidemiological Surveillance
Chief of the Department of Sanitary-and-Epidemiological services
18/20 Vadkovsky pereulok, Moscow, Russia 101474
------------------
[- This appears to be a "standard" outbreak of human anthrax following
upon the butchering of an animal or animals dead or dying of anthrax.
Such cutaneous lesions are normally on the forearms and hands; sometimes
on the face & eyes if the men had rubbed their faces. Cutaneous anthrax
responds very well to antibiotic treatment if treated promptly. Because
of the problems of isolating B.anthracis from the typical cutaneous
ulcers, the Russians frequently use serological and "anthracin" cutaneous
tests for diagnosis. Because of the community response it would seem that
infected meat may have been consumed.
Of veterinary interest is how & why the livestock outbreak started. MHJ]
.....................................................................mhj
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