Cases of anthrax caused by ingestion of suspected carabao meat

ABSTRACT

Six cases of cutaneous anthrax are presented, showing almost identical lesions developing shortly after the ingestion of the meat of a clandestinely slaughtered animal. This animal was reported to have been ill before it was slaughtered. The outbreak of this disease in this isolated barrio could have been prevented if these people had adhered to the local regulation, prohibiting the slaughter of work animals without the permit of the local veterinarianThe common belief that cutaneous anthrax is caused usually by contact with the organism should be revised to include the possibility of ingestion of infected meat playing a distinct part in its etiologyIn the treatment of these cases, the use of penicillin and sulfathiazole may be tried in the absence of the specific anti-anthrax serum. (Summary and Conclusions)