Studies on anthrax in food animals and persons occupationally exposed to the zoonoses in Eastern Nigeria.

A total of 221 blood and 174 carcase swab samples obtained from food animals (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses) slaughtered at urban and rural slaughter houses in Nsukka area were studied. 51 blood samples and 180 samples of vesicle fluid were also collected from persons occupationally exposed (butchers/skinners, meat retailers, meat inspectors, veterinarians and tanners) to these animals and their products. All the samples were studied culturally and microscopically. Confirmation of infection was by subcutaneous inoculation of guinea pigs and mice with samples of human and animal blood, carcase swabs and vesicle fluid got from suspected cutaneous lesions on the hands of persons studied in this survey. Of the blood samples obtained from food animals, 5 per cent (3/60) of cattle and 3.3 per cent (1/30) of sheep were positive. The rest of the blood samples from other animals were negative. For the carcase swab samples, 5.7 per cent (5/88) from cattle and 3.1 per cent (1/33) from sheep were positive. The rest of the carcase swabs from goats, pigs and horses were negative. Only the blood samples from butchers/skinners, 20 per cent (2/10), meat retailers, 9.1 per cent (1/11) and tanners, 11.1 per cent (1/9) were positive. Malignant pustule was confirmed in 13.3 per cent (6/45) of butchers/skinners, 10 per cent (3/30) of tanners and 6 per cent (3/50) of meat retailers. The results show that food animals and their products constitute a potential danger to those persons whose occupation necessitates handling animal products or contact with animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)