Control and Prevention of Anthrax, Texas, USA, 2019

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Zoonotic Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Anthrax, a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, is endemic globally, primarily affecting herbivores.
• Human infection occurs through contact with infected animals or contaminated byproducts, with soil-borne spores posing a persistent risk.
• In the U.S., human risk is linked to handling livestock carcasses, while herbivores ingest spores from contaminated soil, particularly in regions like Texas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the 2019 animal anthrax outbreak in southwest Texas.
• To describe an associated human case of anthrax.
• To underscore the importance of animal disease control in preventing human anthrax.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive epidemiology of an animal anthrax outbreak.
• Case investigation of an associated human anthrax infection.
• Review of B. anthracis spore persistence in soil and transmission dynamics.

Main Results:

• An increase in animal anthrax cases was observed in southwest Texas starting June 2019.
• A human case of anthrax was associated with this animal outbreak.
• The last reported naturally occurring human cutaneous anthrax case linked to livestock in the U.S. was in 2002.

Conclusions:

• Animal anthrax outbreaks, like the one in Texas in 2019, can lead to increased human risk.
• Effective control of anthrax in animal populations is crucial for primary prevention in humans.
• Continued surveillance and rapid response to animal cases are essential for public health protection.