ANTHRAX AS AN OCCUPATIONAL DISEASE: PRESENT CONDITION, CONCERNS AND SOLUTION PROPOSALS IN TURKEY AND THE WORLD

Abstract

Bacillus anthracis causing anthrax disease is a Gram positive bacteria, it is one of the important biological warfare agents having feature of high pathogenicity and forming the spore. Anthrax is common in Africa, Asia and Middle East countries including our country that the control measures are insufficient especially in domestic animals and humans according to the data in 2018 of World Health Organization because of a zoonotic disease threatening substantially for public health. Although it is not common as stated countries as, it also occurs in South and Middle America. It is stated that it is less frequently seen in North America and Europe. When Bacillus anthracis spreads in environment, they contaminate soil, pasture and water sources via sporulation of vegetative forms. They can survive more than 60 years in the environment. In humans, transmission occurs depending on contact with infected domestic or wild animals or direct contact with contaminated animal products (from skin with lesion), inhalation of bacterial spores, consuming of contaminated undercooked meats (bacterial vegetative forms), injection, exposure to soil and insects. Infection occurs commonly in persons having a risk for occupation. In the light of knowledge stated, in the context of this review, brief knowledge was given about all occupational groups at risk including mainly veterinarians, slaughterhouse workers, butchers, veterinary technicians, tanner workers, furriers, shoe producers, workers in facilities that process bone, workers working in wool and textile plants, laboratory employees, breeders in endemic regions, also herdsman as a risky occupational group. In addition, knowledge was presented based on recent scientific sources about diagnosis, treatment, and solution proposals for specified concerns and control measures after the importance of anthrax disease, present condition and concerns were summarized by presenting in tables the data of anthrax prevalence in humans and animals in Turkey and the world.