Anthrax in southern Russia: What we know so far
A woman in Stavropol region has been diagnosed with the dangerous bacterial infection
A woman in Stavropol region in southern Russia has been diagnosed with the dangerous bacterial infection, anthrax, local authorities said on Tuesday.
Stavropol region governor Vladimir Vladimirov took to Telegram to announce that he had received “information that required utmost attention” about a resident of the village of Rozhdestvenskaya having contracted anthrax.
The female patient was in a satisfactory condition, with medics looking after her. The woman’s life was out of danger, the governor added.
What is anthrax?
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease, caused by the Bacillus anthracis bacteria, that is sometimes found in rural areas and most commonly affects livestock. Humans may catch it from animals, typically from infected carcasses, as well as from wool, hair, and hides.
The disease can occur in the skin, lungs, and intestines. Respiratory anthrax is most dangerous and has a mortality rate of from 50% to 80% even with treatment, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the most common is the skin form of the disease, which is lethal in less that 24% percent of cases without treatment.
The illness often begins with flu-like symptoms, which can then develop into serious respiratory problems.
Hundreds of thousands of people died of anthrax before the 20th century, but the number of cases has been reduced greatly due to the use of antibiotics to treat patients and the vaccination of animals.
Some countries have developed anthrax as a biological weapon. According to Russian officials, the disease was among the pathogens studied at secret US-funded biolabs in Ukraine, which were uncovered during Moscow’s military operation.''
https://www.rt.com/russia/557636-anthrax-patient-stavropol-vaccination/