The Meru County government has announced an outbreak of anthrax among humans.
As a result, the county government has ordered the arrest and prosecution of farmers who fail to vaccinate their animals.
“This is to notify you of the outbreak of the above notifiable disease (anthrax) within Meru County,” said Samuel Njuguna, Deputy County Commissioner.
The Deputy Commissioner further issued orders prohibiting home slaughter. Njuguna ordered the arrest and prosecution of farmers who slaughter animals at home for human consumption.
In the notice released on Thursday, Njuguna directed that all administrative officers, including chiefs, begin sensitisation on Anthrax, its transmission, effects, and control measures.
The outbreak comes as the government continues with a nationwide livestock vaccination campaign to combat diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). The vaccination started amid quarantines in Kakamega County, following an outbreak of FMD in Lugari, Likuyani, and Matete Sub-Counties.
Anthrax has been a challenge in various counties, including Narok and Nakuru. In 2019, an outbreak in Narok County led to human cases following the consumption of infected meat.
Nakuru County has experienced multiple outbreaks. Between 2014 and 2017, the Nakuru West sub-county reported three significant outbreaks involving humans, cattle, and wildlife in Lake Nakuru National Park.
Anthrax in humans occurs in four forms: cutaneous, inhalation, gastrointestinal, and injection. Cutaneous anthrax, the most common type, enters through cuts or abrasions in the skin, causing an itchy bump that develops into a painless ulcer with a black centre.
Though serious if untreated, it is the least deadly and responds well to antibiotics. Injection anthrax, seen in drug users who inject contaminated heroin, leads to severe soft tissue infections, organ failure, and shock.
Inhalation anthrax is the most lethal, occurring when spores are breathed in. Early symptoms resemble the flu, including fever, cough, and fatigue, but the disease rapidly worsens, leading to severe breathing difficulties, shock, and organ failure. Without treatment, the fatality rate is high, though prompt administration of antibiotics and antitoxin significantly improves survival.
Gastrointestinal anthrax, contracted through consuming contaminated meat, causes nausea, vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhoea. If untreated, it can result in sepsis and death.
Anthrax can be deadly, but early detection and treatment greatly reduce the risk. Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and doxycycline, along with antitoxins, are effective when administered promptly.
A vaccine is available for high-risk individuals, including military personnel and laboratory workers.
