Anthrax outbreaks in Bangladesh, 2009-2010

Abstract

During August 2009-October 2010, a multidisciplinary team investigated 14 outbreaks of animal and human anthrax in Bangladesh to identify the etiology, pathway of transmission, and social, behavioral, and cultural factors that led to these outbreaks. The team identified 140 animal cases of anthrax and 273 human cases of cutaneous anthrax. Ninety one percent of persons in whom cutaneous anthrax developed had history of butchering sick animals, handling raw meat, contact with animal skin, or were present at slaughtering sites. Each year, Bacillus anthracis of identical genotypes were isolated from animal and human cases. Inadequate livestock vaccination coverage, lack of awareness of the risk of anthrax transmission from animal to humans, social norms and poverty contributed to these outbreaks. Addressing these challenges and adopting a joint animal and human health approach could contribute to detecting and preventing such outbreaks in the future.

Figure 1.

Bangladesh map showing 14 anthrax outbreak areas during August 2009–October 2010.

Figure 2.

A, Distribution of cutaneous anthrax outbreaks in relation to animal slaughtering over time in Bangladesh during August 2009–June 2010. B, Distribution of seven overlapping cutaneous anthrax outbreaks in relation to animal slaughtering over time in Bangladesh during July–September 2010.

Figure 3.

Laboratory-confirmed cutaneous anthrax case identified during 2009 in Bangladesh.