[Cutaneous anthrax, the last outbreak diagnosed in Chile]

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacterium.
• It is globally distributed, particularly in agricultural regions with inadequate veterinary public health standards.
• Human infection occurs via consumption of contaminated meat, skin contact with infected animal products, or inhalation of spores.

Observation:

• This study reports the most recent outbreak of cutaneous anthrax in Chile.
• It includes a detailed description of the first two clinical cases identified during this outbreak.

Findings:

• Cutaneous anthrax is the most frequent form of human infection.
• The outbreak highlights the risk of anthrax transmission in agricultural settings.

Implications:

• Disease control relies heavily on prevention strategies.
• Effective surveillance systems are crucial for early detection of anthrax cases and outbreaks.
• Public health and veterinary measures are essential to mitigate zoonotic disease transmission.