September 15, 2005
Anthrax Outbreak Poses Little Risk to Humans, Officials Say
An anthrax outbreak among cattle in northeastern Montana poses little threat to humans, state health officials said Thursday.
Jim Murphy, disease surveillance specialist with the state Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), said he and his colleagues consulted with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about the incident and its potential risk to humans. He said they confirmed that only individuals who came into direct contact with the carcass or bodily fluids of infected cattle need to be monitored for potential exposure to the disease.
"Based on our consultation with the CDC, simply being in the vicinity of the animals suspected or confirmed to have anthrax is not an exposure, and no treatment or observation is necessary," Murphy added. "Even a person who handles a carcass or bodily fluids while wearing gloves would not be considered to be exposed."
There are three types of anthrax: cutaneous (spread through contact with the skin), inhalation, and gastrointestinal (caused by ingesting infected meat or milk). About 95 percent of anthrax infections occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin during the handling of the animal or animal products. According to the CDC, inhalation of the bacterium is not a concern in this instance.
Murphy encouraged anyone who may have been in direct contact with the infected cattle to watch for signs and symptoms of the disease for about a week after possible exposure. Symptoms might include:
- Small, painless sores that develop into blisters and then into skin ulcers with black centers (cutaneous anthrax); or
- Nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and fever followed by severe stomach pain (gastrointestinal anthrax).
Murphy suggested that individuals who did come into direct contact with infected animals may want to visit with their medical provider regarding treatment. In most cases, early treatment with antibiotics can cure anthrax.
Anthrax is not known to spread from person to person.
For more information, contact your local health-care provider or local health department or call DPHHS at 406-444-0273.
For more information about the outbreak of anthrax among cattle in northeastern Montana, visit the Montana Department of Livestock Web site.
Page last updated: 01/30/2012
