Anthrax as an example of the One Health concept.
Abstract: Anthrax is a peracute, acute or subacute multispecies bacterial infection that occurs on many continents. It is one of the oldest infectious diseases known; the biblical fifth and sixth plagues (Exodus chapters 7 to 9) that affected first livestock and then humans were probably anthrax. From the earliest historical records until development of an effective vaccine midway through the 20th Century, anthrax was one of the foremost causes of uncontrolled mortality in cattle, sheep, goats, horses and pigs, with 'spill over' into humans, worldwide. With the development of the Sterne spore vaccine, a sharp decline in anthrax outbreaks in livestock occurred during the 1930-1980 era. There were successful national vaccination programmes in many countries during this period, complemented by the liberal use of antibiotics and the implementation of quarantine regulations and carcass disposal. However, a resurgence of this disease in livestock has been reported recently in some regions, where complacency and a false sense of security have hindered vaccination programmes. The epidemiology of anthrax involves an environmental component, as well as livestock, wildlife and human components. This makes anthrax an ideal example for discussion in the One Health context. Many outbreaks of anthrax in wildlife are undetected or unreported, owing to surveillance inadequacies and difficulties. Human disease is generally acquired accidentally during outbreaks of anthrax in domestic livestock and wildlife. The exception is deliberate targeting of humans with anthrax in the course of biowarfare or bioterrorism.
Publication Date: 2015-02-25 PubMed ID: 25707186DOI: 10.20506/rst.33.2.2309Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the historical and modern contexts of Anthrax, a bacterial infection that affects multiple species, and its critical role as an example for understanding the One Health concept, which connects environmental, human, and animal health.
Background of Anthrax
- Anthrax is a multispecies bacterial infection that has affected creatures worldwide throughout history.
- It has been one of the major causes of uncontrolled mortality in livestock like cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and pigs, and also affects humans in cases of ‘spill over’.
- In biblical accounts, it is believed that both the fifth and sixth plagues mentioned in Exodus chapters 7 to 9, were probably instances of Anthrax, affecting livestock and subsequently humans.
Historical and Modern Perspectives on Anthrax
- Despite its historical prevalence, with the development of the Sterne spore vaccine during the mid-20th century, there was a significant decrease in anthrax outbreaks in livestock specifically during the 1930-1980 period.
- This was boosted by national vaccination programs in many countries, the use of antibiotics, and the enforcement of quarantine regulations and carcass disposal.
- Despite these advances, a recent surge of the disease in livestock is being reported in some regions, attributed mainly to a lapse in regular vaccination due to complacency and a false sense of security.
Anthrax and the One Health Concept
- This research article argues that the epidemiology of Anthrax, with its environmental, livestock, wildlife and human components, makes it an apt example for the One Health concept.
- Beyond the accidental human contraction that generally occurs during anthrax outbreaks in domestic livestock and wildlife, anthrax has also been used as a tool in biowarfare or bioterrorism, with humans specifically targeted.
- Although many anthrax outbreaks in wildlife remain undetected or unreported due to inadequacies in surveillance and detection difficulties, understanding these connections is vital for a holistic approach to health, as advocated by the One Health model.
Cite This Article
APA
Bengis RG, Frean J.
(2015).
Anthrax as an example of the One Health concept.
Rev Sci Tech, 33(2), 593-604.
https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.33.2.2309 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Africa
- Animals
- Animals, Wild
- Anthrax / drug therapy
- Anthrax / pathology
- Anthrax / prevention & control
- Anthrax / transmission
- Anthrax / veterinary
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Bacterial Vaccines / immunology
- Global Health
- Humans
- Internationality
- Zoonoses / prevention & control
Citations
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