Anthrax is a bacterial pathogen scientifically known as bacillus anthracis . The bacteria produces spores, which constitute the environmental hazard associated with Anthrax. The spores, when in the soil, take long to die and thus are a potential contaminant for long periods. It can be used as a bioterrorism weapon. It is made into a powder aerosol and sprayed in territories of the enemy. Resulting in the manifestation of the disease known as Anthrax. Humans get exposed to Anthrax through inhalation of the spores, contact with the skin, or ingestion through the mouth. Unless treated Anthrax is fatal. Its signs and symptoms include malaise, fever, respiratory distress, and difficulty breathing. Because of its hazardous nature and the potential for abuse and missuses in war, the handling and use of these microorganism are regulated (Goel, 2015). Several national and international regulatory frameworks for Anthrax exist.
The regulation of Anthrax is done primarily at two levels. In the context of both animals and humans, regulating handling reduces the prevalence of the disease. Both domestic and wild animals can be affected by Anthrax. Meat contaminated by Anthrax easily spreads the pathogen to human beings through ingestion. Veterinarians are thus at the forefront in mitigating Anthrax in livestock. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and the World Organization for Animal Health are tasked with the obligation of setting the global regulatory standards for the control of Anthrax. Various state and local authorities ensure adherence to all set protocols. Key guidelines for anthrax management in animals include vaccinations. There also exist guidelines on how to handle and dispose of contaminated meat. Furthermore, inspection protocols for meat to ensure safety. Post mortem for animals suspected to have the infection is also highly regulated in a bid to curb the spread of the disease. These measures are tailored to ensure the prevention of human and animal exposure to the aforementioned pathogen.
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Anthrax is zoonotic; it affects both humankind and animals. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are some of the bodies tasked with the responsibility of regulation to ensure no contamination to humans. The World Health Organisation of the United Nations works at a global level to enhance regulation. These agencies control the handling of the microorganism and are responsible for accrediting of research centers that engage in research using dangerous pathogens. They ensure the qualification and safety of all personnel involved in the research and scientific testing of these pathogens. They also work with other agencies to decontaminate environments that have the pathogen. The CDC has also created protocols and structures that ensure public health reporting in locations where there is suspected bacillus anthracis contamination.
These organizations, together with the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Agriculture formulate diagnostic and treatment guidelines for patients and animals. They outline how to handle infected persons and animals. Antibiotic therapy administered on time has been found to be effective in the management of the disease condition. Timely reporting of the infection is, therefore, a critical pillar in the achievement of treatment goals. Improper use of antibiotics has led to resistance. These organizations provide guidelines for the use of antibiotics in the management of Anthrax. Certain antibiotics are classified as reserve and can only be used after all other options have failed. They also work to avail vaccines for humans and animals and manage any epidemics that break out within a given region.
Anthrax, because of its highly infectious nature has been used as a bioweapon. When in the environment, Anthrax takes a long time before it is neutered. It can, thus, be highly infectious long after it has been released into a location. The bacterial spores can withstand harsh environmental conditions. Environmental standards exist to safeguard populations from harm and infection. Whenever there is an exposure, an emergency response team is sent on site. The US Department of labor, through the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA), sets standards and other requirements to be adhered to by all persons working to contain outbreaks (US Dept Labour, 2019).
A blanket regulation exists that requires all workers likely to be involved with hazardous waste to comply with the Hazardous Waste and Operations and Emergency Response Standard (HAZPOWER) set by OSHA. They describe the personal protective mechanisms to be adhered to. The guidelines describe the various protective gear and the levels of safety that each offers. There is also a training manual that is however not compulsory but is essential in ensuring there is minimal risk for those that engage in evacuation. There are guidelines on how to control the environment and ensure the hazard does not spread further. When the operations have to be done in confined areas, it is required that a permit be obtained to authorize access. Checklists before entry into confined areas are provided. Procedures for testing to locate the exact centers of pathogen sources are also set in this operations manual. The public is also prohibited from areas of operation
Besides the OSHA HAZPOWER guidelines, for bacillus anthracis the workers must follow OSHA’s respiratory protection standards. Besides protecting oneself from the actual pathogen, workers and employers must protect the workers from the chemicals used to destroy the pathogen. Harm can be caused by either the pathogen or the destructive agent, it is thus necessary to ensure protection either way. The CDC guidelines outline the required procedures to ensure protection in the labs. To safeguard worker welfare, the OSHA standards prohibit employers from retaliating when workers raise issues about their safety and protection. Another critical requirement is proper documentation of all procedures done and protocols adhered to. Employee medical records must be well kept at all times.
Standards are critical in ensuring the safety of the public as well as those sent out to contain the spores. The standards are designed such that they help not only the current scenario but any possible subsequent scenarios. Documentation is usually done in such a way that it encourages research and in-depth analysis of the scenario to better influence future decision making and policy formulation (Chitnis, 2015). The standards on testing of hazards are critical in determining whether the affected areas can be reoccupied again. The welfare of workers is highly safeguarded by the standards. Workers are a critical link in safeguarding of the environment, due to their close proximity they require extra care which is provided by the standards. Other standards exist that guide the disposal of animals that re contaminated. Proper disposal of animal carcasses and prohibition of their post-mortem reduces the release of spores into the atmosphere. Human post-mortem for infected persons is also highly regulated including tightly sealing of bodies.
Various factors affect the presence of bacillus spores in the environment. Territorial interests have been at the forefront in causing intentional bacillus poisoning. Severally in war scenarios bacillus has been used as a weapon. Other factors that are responsible for spread include the lack of knowledge among farmers on how to treat and dispose animals that are infected. Availability of trained personnel to mitigate any disasters has in instances resulted to more fatalities than expected. Failure by health systems to be responsive quickly enough either due to financial or human resource limitations has also resulted in more instances of infection.
Bacillus has the potential to wipe out massive populations if not properly controlled. Animal products such as wool and leather products have been known to cause death on those working with them. In 2001 there was the infamous ‘Amerithrax’ attacks where several letter containing bacillus spores were used on targeted persons. In these letter attacks over 17 persons were infected while 5 others died. Animals make a key carrier of these dangerous pathogens and can easily affect populations that consume their products. Meat, wool and leather products have been known to transmit the bacteria. France had a serious outbreak of Anthrax in 2018 which resulted from shortages in the vaccine (Weisberger, 2018). This left dozens of animals dead. The risk involved not only the animals but the farmers involved who had a daunting task of disposing off the animals in a way that would not compromise their health.
In instances of break out of Anthrax there are key challenges and responsibilities that befall the staff. Key is public health education, where the staff must inform the public on how to carry themselves to minimize risks of infections and any risky behaviors. The staff team involved is usually multidisciplinary. It brings on board veterinarians who are keen on the animal health aspect. Doctors of medicine help in the human health aspects. Public health workers and community health workers help in community education and awareness which helps mitigate risks. Environmental workers who are skilled in decontamination come on board to guide the disposal of carcasses and decontaminate soil and buildings that would be affected.
Bacillus anthracis spores when in contact with the environment remain infectious for very long periods. The spores are thus an environmental contaminant that must be dealt with appropriately to ensure minimal hazard to populations. Various standards and protocols have been set up by respective organizations to ensure ecological safety from the spores. The staff team involved is multidisciplinary.
References
Chitnis, D. (2015). Environmental factors could increase the US anthrax cases. CHEST Physician.
Goel, A. K. (2015). Anthrax: A disease of biowarfare and public health importance. World Journal Of Clinical Cases .
US Department of Labour. (2019, October 10). Anthrax . Retrieved from Occupational Safety and Health Administration: osha.gov/SLTC/emergencypreparedness/anthrax/
Weisberger, M. (2018, August 20). Worst Anthrax Outbreak In Decades Strikes Farms In France. Livescience . New York.
