炭疽病

炭疽病是由炭疽桿菌引致的一種罕見的細菌性疾病。它有三種類別：吸入性、腸道性及皮膚性。吸入性炭疽非常罕見，初期症狀與一般感冒相似，在發病後二至六日後會呼吸困難，繼而休克死亡。腸炭疽病的症狀如嚴重的食物中毒。皮膚性炭疽通常呈現無痛潰瘍，中央部份黑色，附近淋巴腺腫脹，是最常見的類別。

由於炭疽杆菌生存於郊野及動物群，所以染病者均限於獸醫，畜牧及野外工作等人士，一般人士無須擔心。另外，炭疽菌可能在生物戰中被使用，但要將它製成極細的霧化微粒，過程相當困難，需要高度專門技術及特別儀器才能做到。
感染途徑
炭疽桿菌及孢子通常在泥土、羊、牛及馬發現。人類可經接觸受感染的動物及其產品，或吸入炭疽孢子，而受到感染。炭疽病不會經人傳播給其他人。
治療炭疽病
炭疽病如能及早診斷，適當的抗生素可予治癒，但如不理則可致命，因此病者須及早就醫。
預防措施
  1. 避免接觸受感染動物或污染動物產品
  2. 適當處理傷口
  3. 保持良好的個人、食物及環境衛生
  4. 處理食物前須徹底洗手
  5. 徹底洗淨及煮熟食物後，方可進食。
  6. 炭疽病有疫苗可預防，但完成整個接種程序需時18個月，而且其副作用亦多，因此不建議巿民接種。若在接觸炭疽菌後服食抗生素，防止患上炭疽病的機會相當高。

Anthrax

Anthrax is a rare bacterial disease caused by the bacteria Anthracis Bacillus. It has three forms: inhalational, gastrointestional and cutaneous. Inhalational anthrax is very rare, the prodromal symptoms are similar to those of influenza. Respiratory difficulty will develop 2 to 6 days after the onset of symptoms, followed by shock and death. The symptoms of gastrointestinal anthrax are like severe food poisoning. Cutaneous anthrax usually presents with painless ulcer, followed by central black eschar and surrounding lymph node swelling. It is the most common form of anthrax.

As anthrax bacilli are present in rural areas and animal herds, infected patients are usually veterinarians, animal husbandry workers and people working in wilderness. Public do not have to worry too much about the infection. On the other hand, anthrax bacteria can be used in biological warfare, but it has to be manufactured as very small particles. The procedures involved are quite complicated, and they require specialized techniques and equipments.
Transmission Channel
Anthrax bacilli and their spores are usually found in soil, sheep, cow and horse. Human can be infected through contact with infected animals, their products, and inhalation of anthrax spores. Anthrax cannot be transmitted by personal contact.
Treatment
Appropriate antibiotics can cure anthrax if the disease is diagnosed early, but can be fatal if left untreated. Hence patients should seek medical care promptly.
Preventive Measures
  1. Avoid contact with infected animal and contaminated animal product
  2. Manage skin abrasions carefully
  3. Maintain good personal, food and environmental hygiene
  4. Wash hands properly before food handling
  5. Thorough washing and cooking of food before consumption.
  6. There is a vaccine for prevention, but completion of the whole course of vaccination takes 18 months, and it has a lot of side effects. Thus, it is not recommended for public. If antibiotics are taken after exposure to anthrax, there is a very high chance to prevent anthrax infection successfully.
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