Ministry of Health: Anthrax Not Transmitted Through Humans
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BONSERNEWS.com – The Ministry of Health emphasized that anthrax cannot be transmitted from human to human. It is known that there are cases of death due to anthrax in Gunungkidul, DI Yogyakarta which certainly raises concerns.
As many as three residents of Gunungkidul died from anthrax. They died after coming into contact with livestock that died from anthrax. Director of Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases of the Ministry of Health, Imran Pambudi, said that this disease is transmitted from animals to humans or is a zoonotic disease.
“This (disease) is zoonotic, so transmission is not from human to human. There is no need to quarantine,” said Imran, Friday 7 July 2023.
Also Read: Here’s the Chronology of Dozens of People in Gunung Kidul Tested Positive for Anthrax Disease, Check Out the Reviews
Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. If exposed to outside air, bacteria automatically form spores that function as a protector. Bacteria can survive for decades under various conditions.
The bacteria will infect humans through direct contact with the skin (open lesions), inhalation, or consumption of infected livestock meat. Then in cases abroad, bacteria can enter through the injection of illegal drugs.
Also Read: The Anthrax Case in Gunung Kidul is Not the First in Indonesia, Anthrax was Found for the First Time in Lampung
There are four types of anthrax namely, skin anthrax, lung anthrax, digestive anthrax and injection anthrax. In Indonesia, a common case is skin anthrax.
“This type is the most common in Indonesia,” said Imran.
Cutaneous anthrax causes symptoms in the form of blisters. The bacteria enter through direct contact or open lesions on the skin. Imran said that even though it occurs the most, this type has a case fatality rate (CFR) of 20-25 percent.
If the CFR is low, why can anthrax in Gunungkidul lead to death?
“So far, cases of skin anthrax (which are common). This one (in Gunungkidul) is digestive anthrax,” he said.
Gastrointestinal anthrax occurs due to consumption of meat contaminated with bacteria. The bacteria trigger blisters in the intestine so that the patient can experience symptoms of diarrhea mixed with blood or vomiting blood.
Cases of alimentary anthrax have a CFR of 25-75 percent.
