Anthrax: Management of Pediatric Cases After Exposure

Objective: Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that can be transmitted to humans from herbivorous animals such as sheep, goats and beef cattle, with infection passing through direct contact with the skin of infected animals, meat and wool, the ingestion of infected meat or the inhalation of spores. Depending on the point of entry of the bacteria, the disease can take three clinical forms, namely skin, respiratory and gastrointestinal system anthrax. Although there is a suggested prophylaxis following the inhalation of B. anthracis spores as a biological weapon, there is a lack of data on treatment after direct contact with infected animals or the ingestion of infected meat. This study proposes a post-contact management method for children who come into contact with an anthrax-infected animal. Material and Methods: The history of a 36-year-old female living in the Trabzon province who died from B. anthracis sepsis indicated that she had helped in the butchering of a cow with anthrax and in the distribution of the meat. All of the children living in the area that came into contact with the meat were evaluated in pediatric emergency and pediatric infectious disease polyclinics. Results: A total of 48 children applied to the outpatient clinics in the province after coming into contact with the anthrax-infected meat, of which 33 (68.8%) had ingested the meat, 11 (22.9%) had had direct contact with the sick cow and four (8.3%) lived in the same house as the cutaneous anthrax case. The 33 children who had ingested the infected meat, received a prophylaxis of oral ciprofloxacin for 10 days, and five children are admitted to the pediatric infectious disease service. No intestinal or cutaneous anthrax was detected in any patient. Conclusion: Anthrax continues to be a major public health problem in our country, although the number of cases is in a gradual decline. After coming into contact with anthrax, patients should be followed up closely and an appropriate prophylaxis should be initiated when necessary.