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Lesotho - 3 new outbreaks of Anthrax in cattle in villages, Maseru (OIE, May 21, 2019)

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  • Lesotho - 3 new outbreaks of Anthrax in cattle in villages, Maseru (OIE, May 21, 2019)

    Anthrax,
    Lesotho
    Information received on 21/05/2019 from Dr Gerard Relebohile Mahloane, Director General of Veterinary Services, Livestock Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Maseru, Lesotho
    Summary
    Report type Immediate notification
    Date of start of the event 12/05/2019
    Date of confirmation of the event 18/05/2019
    Report date 21/05/2019
    Date submitted to OIE 21/05/2019
    Reason for notification Recurrence of a listed disease
    Date of previous occurrence 10/05/2016
    Manifestation of disease Clinical disease
    Causal agent Bacillus anthracis
    Nature of diagnosis Clinical, Laboratory (basic)
    This event pertains to a defined zone within the country
    New outbreaks (3)
    Outbreak 1 Mazenod, Ha-Tseka, Ha-Tseka, Maseru
    Date of start of the outbreak 12/05/2019
    Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
    Epidemiological unit Village
    Affected animals
    Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
    Cattle 83 21 21 0 0
    Outbreak 2 Mazenod, Ha-Teko, Maseru
    Date of start of the outbreak 17/05/2019
    Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
    Epidemiological unit Village
    Affected animals
    Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
    Cattle 16 2 2 0 0
    Outbreak 3 Mazenod, Ha-Au, Maseru
    Date of start of the outbreak 18/05/2019
    Outbreak status Continuing (or date resolved not provided)
    Epidemiological unit Village
    Affected animals
    Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
    Cattle 7 1 1 0 0
    Summary of outbreaks Total outbreaks: 3
    Total animals affected
    Species Susceptible Cases Deaths Killed and disposed of Slaughtered
    Cattle 106 24 24 0 0
    Outbreak statistics
    Species Apparent morbidity rate Apparent mortality rate Apparent case fatality rate Proportion susceptible animals lost*
    Cattle 22.64% 22.64% 100.00% 22.64%
    *Removed from the susceptible population through death, destruction and/or slaughter
    Epidemiology
    Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
    • Contact with infected animal(s) at grazing/watering
    Control measures
    Measures applied
    • Movement control inside the country
    • Surveillance within containment and/or protection zone
    • Quarantine
    • Official disposal of carcasses, by-products and waste
    • Zoning
    • Disinfection
    • Vaccination permitted (if a vaccine exists)
    • No treatment of affected animals
    Measures to be applied
    • Vaccination in response to the outbreak (s)
    Diagnostic test results
    Laboratory name and type Species Test Test date Result
    Maseru Central Veterinary Laboratory (National laboratory) Cattle bacteriological examination 18/05/2019 Positive
    Future Reporting
    The event is continuing. Weekly follow-up reports will be submitted.
    ...
    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

  • #2
    Outbreaks and Emergencies Bulletin, Week 22: 27 May - 02 June 2019

    Anthrax Lesotho
    20 Cases
    0 Deaths
    0% CFR

    EVENT DESCRIPTION

    The Ministry of Health in Lesotho has reported a probable outbreak
    of anthrax in humans in the outskirts of Maseru, the capital city.
    The event was initially detected on 14 May 2019 through an event -
    based surveillance system that reported unusual animal deaths in Ha
    Tseka village, followed by human cases. Preliminary epidemiologic
    investigations conducted from 15 - 23 May 2019 identified 72 people
    in four villages who were exposed to carcasses of, and/or sick cattle.
    Of the 72 people, 20 reportedly developed signs and symptoms that
    include blisters on the hands and arms, swelling of the arms, diarrhoea
    and abdominal pain, headache, chest pains and poor appetite. No deaths
    have been reported to date. Of three samples obtained from the initial
    cases, one identified a bacillus bacterium, which was susceptible to
    only one out of nine commonly used antibiotics in Lesotho. However,
    no confirmatory test was performed due to inadequacies in diagnostic
    capacity.

    At the same time, animal health investigations carried out by the
    veterinary authorities indicated that the outbreak in animals started
    on 28 April 2019 when the first cow died in Ha Tseka, and the carcass
    was reportedly consumed. A total of 28 cattle has been confirmed dead
    in four villages, namely Ha Tseka, Ha Teko, Ha Au and Ha Motheo.

    Four carcasses were found in the community. The animals reportedly
    manifested the following symptoms and signs: failure to stand, bloated
    abdomen, swelling of the legs, bleeding from openings (nose, mouth
    and anus), enlarge spleen and lungs, etc. Specimens obtained from two
    of the 28 animals confirmed Bacillus anthracis as the causative agent.
    Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security declared an
    outbreak of anthrax in animals on 18 May 2019.

    Further investigations (both public and animal health) are ongoing and
    updates will be provided as more information comes in.

    PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

    A joint response operation is being undertaken by the Ministry
    of Agriculture and Food Security (Livestock Department)
    and the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the District
    Disaster Management Team, under the leadership of the District
    Administrator. Two coordination meetings have been held to date.
    Active surveillance has been heightened in all health facilities to
    ensure early detection of suspected human cases. Active case
    search is ongoing in the affected communities, including informal
    reporting by the media, community leaders, village health workers
    and the general public.

    The WHO Country Office is in the process of procuring the required
    laboratory reagents to support confirmation of suspected cases.

    WHO is also providing medicines, decontamination materials,
    communication materials, logistical support, and operational funds
    for the response.

    Post-exposure prophylaxis using amoxicillin has been administered
    to the people exposed to the dead/sick animals while those with
    signs and symptoms being treated with antibiotics (cotrimoxazole)
    based on the laboratory susceptibility test. Personal protective
    equipment has been provided to health workers to prevent exposure
    to the disease while supervising disposal of dead animals.

    Preparations are ongoing to carry out mass animal vaccination against anthrax
    within a 10-km radius, beginning 3 June 2019. FAO donated the anthrax vaccines
    (Blanthrax).

    Public awareness and community engagement activities are ongoing, including
    press conference, radio and TV programmes. Information about the outbreak has
    been shared with neighbouring South Africa through the cross-border disease
    surveillance committees.

    The World Bank-funded Southern Africa TB Health Systems Strengthening project
    also provided transport to support the response.

    SITUATION INTERPRETATION

    Health authorities in Lesotho have reported a probable outbreak of human anthrax in the
    outskirts of Maseru, following an epizootic declared by the animal health authorities. The
    affected areas lie within a known and well defined ?anthrax belt? that covers a small portion
    of Berea, Maseru and Mafeteng districts. Lesotho experienced its most serious anthrax
    outbreak in 2008, where nearly 2 000 animals died, with one human death and more
    than 30 human cases. In the past five years, smaller anthrax outbreaks have occurred in
    animals, with no human cases detected.

    Some of the major challenges being experienced in response to the current outbreak
    include effective and safe disposal of dead animals and decontamination of the sites,
    dissuasion of communities from handling and consuming sick and dead animals, as
    well as appropriate public health laboratory diagnostic capacity. These areas are being
    collectively addressed by the national authorities and partners.



    The WHO Health Emergencies Programme is currently monitoring 72 events in the region. This week’s edition covers key new and ongoing events, including:
    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

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