Biological Hazards
Anthrax (Wool Sorter’s disease)
Caused by Bacillus Anthraces & spread through spores which may be found in the infected
animals & animal products like wool, hair, meat, skin, bones etc. Soil can become
contaminated by the spores which may survive fir many years in the soil. The disease also
known as Woo Sorter’s Disease.
Occupations involved:-1) Veterinarians 2) Farmers 3) Slaughter men 4) Agricultural
Workers 5) Workers of Carpet Factory, Tanneries, Fertilizer Plant
Types of Anthrax
1) Cutaneous 2) Pulmonary 3) Intestinal
1) Cutaneous Anthrax:- It accounts for 95% of cases. Occurring when infectious agent
enters through a cut or abrasion. After incubation period of 2-7 days a small Papule
develops. This further becomes Vasicular & over 24-48 hours enlarges to form an
ulcer, with a characteristically black necrosis at the centre, which is usually surrounded
by considerable edema & accompanied by fever & local lymphadinipathy.
2) Pulmonary Anthrax:- It is caused by inhalation of the organisms. Non specific
symptoms of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection are followed by a rapid deterioration in
respiratory functions, severe breathlessness & shock. If untreated the condition of
Pulmonary Anthrax is rapidly fetal.
3) Intestinal:- Acquired after eating infected meat
Diagnosis:- By Culture of swabs from lesion, blood & Sputum
Treatment:- 1) Parentral Penicillin 2) Tetracycline 3) Cyclo Floxacin
Brucellosis
Types:-
1) Brucella Abortus :- Cattle population
2) Brucella Melitensis:- Sheeps & Goats
3) Brucella Suis:- Pigs
4) Brucella Moris:- Seals or other Marine Mammals
Infection may be acquired through contact of the organism with conjunctiva or abraded skin, by aerosol
inhalation or by ingestion.
Occupations associated:1) Veterinary Surgeon 2) Unpasteurized Milk or Milk Products
3) laboratory Workers
Incubation Period:- Ranging from 1 week to 7 months.
Clinical Features:- Clinical features are veriable including Fever, Rigors, Generalized Body Ache,
Anorexia. Infection may lead to chronicity often associated with intense fatigue.
The symptoms of chronic Brucellosis may last for years with non specific symptoms like 1) Malaise
2) Tiredness with little or no fever 3) Depression
Physical Signs:- 1) Spleenomegale 2) Hepatomegale 3) Lymphadenopathy 4) Transient Skin Rash
5) Ottitis 6) Meningitis 7) Cranial Nerve Palsy 8) Endocarditis 9) Hepatic & Spleenic Absess
Diagnosis:- By serology & Culture of Blood, Bone Marrow, Pus or Infected Tissues.
Treatment:1) Tetracycline or Doxycyclin
2) Streptomycin or Refampicin
3) Cotrimexazol may also be used