Suspected anthrax in southern Sudan

The State Ministry of Health [SMOH] of Western Bahr El Ghazal and Warrap States of southern Sudan recently notified WHO of 31 suspected cases of cutaneous Anthrax from several villages. All suspected cases presented clinical symptoms [skin lesions with blisters, swelling of lymph nodes, etc] that are consistent with cutaneous Anthrax. All the cases ported close contact with dead animals before they developed their symptoms. The blood specimens from the suspected cases have been sent to a Reference laboratory for confirmation. Four related deaths have also been reported from the area. The rest of the suspected cases have improved following treatment with appropriate antibiotics