The Cordillera office of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) together with that of the Department of Health-Cordillera (DOH-CAR) is currently conducting vaccination proceedings in a barangay in the province of Kalinga in response to a suspect-anthrax case in the said area.
Dr. Karl Glenn Kigis of DA-CAR Livestock Program explained that the measure is being done in accordance with the agreement between DA-CAR and DOH to pursue the vaccination of animals in the event of positive laboratory results from either soil or human samples.
“The Provincial Veterinary Office of Kalinga and the Municipal Agriculture Office are currently conducting a vaccination of the susceptible animal population in the area starting November 14 until November 15. We have requested the Bureau of Animal Industry for anthrax vaccines which were coursed through with DA-RFO Region 2 which are to be used for this purpose,” Kigis said.
DOH-CAR nurse and focal person for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases Kristine Gale Raguindin reported that five cases of human anthrax were recorded last October with one case testing positive for the Bacillus anthracis bacteria based on the result of laboratory testing, while four other individuals are currently being monitored by the rural and provincial health units; individuals who developed clinical signs have been monitored to complete antibacterial treatment.
In October this year, a native carabao was reported to have been slaughtered in a barangay where forty-two individuals were identified to have contact with the meat (for exposure to the carcass and slaughtering of the animal). Five of the forty-two individuals developed skin lesions and other nonspecific signs such as fever, headaches, and body aches.
Soil samples have been collected and submitted to the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in DA-Region 2 with recently released results not recommended for RT-PCR. Human vesicular fluid swabs from cutaneous lesions have also been collected with one result testing positive for the said bacteria.
Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. It occurs naturally in soil and commonly affects domestic and wild animals.
The bacteria produce spores that can live in the ground for years. Wild animals like deer, and livestock such as cattle or sheep, can inhale or ingest the dominant (inactive) spores while grazing.
After mixing with bodily fluids, anthrax bacteria activate, multiply, and spread throughout the body. The bacteria cause a toxic, potentially deadly reaction. The same process happens to people who inhale, ingest, or come into skin contact with the spores.