Historical cases of anthrax in Sweden 1916-1961.
Abstract: As in most European countries, anthrax was common in Swedish livestock during the centuries leading up to the mid-twentieth century. After 1957, the disease was regarded as practically extinct. However, in the past 7 years, three outbreaks have caused public alarm because of the risk of environmental contamination. Properly buried carcasses should present little risk of spore contamination, and instructions were in place to ensure this since the 1890s. However, as has been demonstrated in recent outbreaks, carcasses were not always adequately buried and viable spores may remain in some sites. This study was prompted by the lack of historical information to assess the geographical risk of old anthrax spores. The aim was to obtain sufficient information to map old anthrax outbreaks, to study clusters and variation between years. Historical data were retrieved from Official National and Regional Veterinary Archives. In the years 1916 to 1961, anthrax was reported from more than 3000 farms and all 24 counties in Sweden were affected. Most cases were single animals, but there were also some larger outbreaks mainly involving cattle. Anthrax in horses was mostly reported before the mid-twentieth century, and the same was seen for pigs and wildlife. A ban in 1957, on the import of bone meal for animal feed led to a drastic reduction of outbreaks. The majority of cases were reported during the summer months in animals on pasture. Historical records proved useful for the investigation of current outbreaks. If handled properly, old carcasses pose no substantial risk, but if not, they may present a risk to grazing animals in some areas. Historical information is useful for all planning of work that involves digging or relocation of soil masses. Anthrax can be regarded as one of the diseases where history is a key to present knowledge.
© 2015 The Authors. Transboundary and Emerging Diseases Published by Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
Publication Date: 2015-12-15 PubMed ID: 26671241DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12456Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Historical Article
- Journal Article
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Transmission
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Infection
- Infectious Disease
- Public Health
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- Veterinary Science
Summary
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The research article discusses the historical cases of anthrax in Sweden from 1916 to 1961, exploring outbreaks, affected areas, and the link to livestock. It also emphasizes the importance of proper handling of carcasses and how past mistakes can still pose a risk for environmental contamination.
Historical Outbreak of Anthrax
- The research highlights how anthrax was a common disease in livestock in Sweden, just like in other European countries, until the mid-twentieth century, when it was considered practically extinct after 1957.
- However, the resurgence of the disease in the past seven years prompted the study, due to public alarm concerning the risk of environmental contamination from improperly buried carcasses.
- The research was initiated due to a lack of historical data on the geographical risk of old anthrax spores.
Research Methodology and Findings
- Historical data were obtained from the Official National and Regional Veterinary Archives to map old anthrax outbreaks, study variations between years, and identify clusters.
- The data revealed that from 1916 to 1961, more than 3000 farms reported anthrax outbreaks, affecting all 24 counties in Sweden.
- The majority of the cases involved single animals, with larger outbreaks mostly involving cattle. Cases involving horses, pigs, and wildlife were mainly reported before the mid-twentieth century.
Anthrax Contamination and Prevention
- Improper burial of infected carcasses can lead to viable spores remaining at the site, posing a risk of anthrax contamination. Strict instructions for carcass disposal have been in place since the 1890s to mitigate this.
- A drastic reduction in outbreaks followed a 1957 ban on the import of bone meal used for animal feed, evidencing the importance of such measures in anthrax control.
- The study stresses that proper handling of old carcasses can prevent substantial risk, but negligence may expose grazing animals to threats in certain areas.
Significance of Historical Information
- Historical records can be beneficial to investigate current outbreaks and plan work involving soil digging or relocation.
- Anthrax is seen as a disease where historical knowledge can provide valuable insights into current knowledge and preventive strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Elvander M, Persson B, Sternberg Lewerin S.
(2015).
Historical cases of anthrax in Sweden 1916-1961.
Transbound Emerg Dis, 64(3), 892-898.
https://doi.org/10.1111/tbed.12456 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Disease Control and Epidemiology, National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.
- Kjugekullsvägen 18-6, Fjälkinge, Sweden.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anthrax / epidemiology
- Anthrax / history
- Anthrax / veterinary
- Bacillus anthracis
- Disease Outbreaks / history
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- History, 20th Century
- Humans
- Seasons
- Sweden / epidemiology
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