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High Case-Fatality Rate for Human Anthrax,Northern Ghana, 2005–2016 |
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| Authors: | Jason K Blackburn Ernest Kenu Franklin Asiedu-Bekoe Badu Sarkodie Ian T Kracalik William A Bower Robyn A Stoddard Rita M Traxler |
| Institution: | University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA (J.K. Blackburn, I.T. Kracalik);University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana (E. Kenu);Ghana Health Service, Accra (F. Asiedu-Bekoe, B. Sarkodie);Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (W.A. Bower, R.A. Stoddard, R.M. Traxler) |
| Abstract: | The human cutaneous anthrax case-fatality rate is ≈1% when treated, 5%–20% when untreated. We report high case-fatality rates (median 35.0%; 95% CI 21.1%–66.7%) during 2005–2016 linked to livestock handling in northern Ghana, where veterinary resources are limited. Livestock vaccination and access to human treatment should be evaluated. |
| Keywords: | Africa Bacillus anthracis bacteria case-fatality rate cutaneous anthrax enteric infections food safety gastrointestinal anthrax Ghana human anthrax livestock livestock vaccination mortality surveillance |