Sudden Death in Cattle: Why You Should Never Open an Anthrax Carcass.

1. Introduction

Anthrax is a highly infectious, acute, and febrile disease that is caused by the spore-forming, Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It blemishes the livestock industry due to its ability to cause sudden deaths in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats. Due to its potential to infect humans, it is a significant public health threat.

Anthrax in cattle

2. The Characteristics of the Pathogen (Spores)

B. anthracis's spore-forming feature alone is the most valuable part of it. However, these spores show extreme endurance in places that other organisms cannot. Depending on how long they have been in the soil, they can stay in it for many years (up to 50 years or more), especially in alkaline and calcium-rich soils.

3. Transmission

Ingestion:

 By feeding on pastures with spores (soil-borne infection).

Inhalation: 

Receiving spore-laden dust through the respiratory tract.

Vectors: 

Biting flies can also act as a mechanical vector to the bacterium.

4. Pathogenesis (The "Septicemic" Attack)

After the spores invade the body, they shift to the vegetative form. They secrete two deadly Exotoxins:

Edema Toxin (EdTx):

 This toxin causes a huge innundation of fluid (swelling).

Lethal Toxin (LeTx): 

The toxins are responsible for cell demise and internal bleeding.

The bacteria overgrow in the blood (Septicemia), resulting in the supply of oxygen being reduced and shock. 

5. Clinical Signs 

In farm animals, the illness mostly prevails in the Peracute format:

Untimely Demise: 

Animals are usually discovered cadaveric without previously showing the symptoms.

Transport of Natural Orifice & Reddening of the Mucous Membrane:

A blood-stained liquid coming out of the nose, mouth, and anus

Bloat:

 Rapid decomposition and bloating of the carcass.

Incomplete Rigor Mortis: 

The body does not stiffen normally after death

6. Critical Diagnosis and Warning

WARNING: 

 It is strictly prohibited to perform a post-mortem (PM) on an animal that is suspected of having Anthrax. Opening the carcass will expose the bacteria to oxygen and cause spore formation that will contaminate the entire environment.

Blood Smear: 

Diagnosis is obtained through a peripheral blood swab (for instance, from the ear tip) and the counting of large, encapsulated bacilli (M'Fadyean's stain) 

7. Prevention and Control

Inoculation: 

The yearly inoculation in areas where the disease is present is obligatory.

Carcass Disposal:

 The carcass should be disposed of by burying it deep (6-8 feet) accompanied by a Quicklime (Choona) layer or it should be incinerated 

Bio-Security: 

Zoning should be implemented in order to restrict the movement of animals.

​⚠️ BIOLOGICAL SAFETY ALERT: ZOONOTIC RISK

Anthrax is a highly infectious disease (Bacillus anthracis) which is a type of disease that can be transmitted to humans by animals. NO animal should go through a post-mortem examination that is suspected to have Anthrax. By opening the carcass, the bacilli are given an opportunity to get sporulated and the soil is made to be toxic for the bacteria for many decades. 

If you are to notice the sudden death of an animal manifested by the presence of blood from natural orifices (nose, mouth, or anus), you should inform the local veterinary authorities immediately and restrict all movements in the affected area. It is important that personal protective equipment (PPE) be worn at all times when handling any clinical samples that are suspected to be infected by these disease-causing agents.