Anthrax

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Nationally notifiable since 2002

1.0 National Notification

Confirmed, probable and suspect cases of disease should be notified.

2.0 Type of Surveillance

Routine case-by-case notification to the federal level

3.0 Case Classification

3.1 Confirmed case

Clinical illness with laboratory confirmation of infection:

• Isolation of Bacillus anthracis in a clinical specimen
  OR
• Demonstration of B. anthracis in a clinical specimen by immunofluorescence

3.2 Probable case

Suspected case with detection of B. anthracis DNA

3.3 Suspect Case

Clinical illness in a person who is epidemiologically linked to a confirmed or suspected animal case or contaminated animal product

4.0 Laboratory Comments

5.0 Clinical Evidence

Cutaneous:

Clinical illness is characterized by the appearance of small, painless but often pruritic papules. As the papule enlarges, it becomes vesicular and, within two days, ulcerates to form a distinctive black eschar, with surrounding edema

Inhalation:

Clinical illness is characterized by an upper-respiratory flu-like syndrome that, after a few days, takes a fulminant course, manifested by dyspnea, cough, chills and a high-grade bacteremia.

Gastrointestinal:

Clinical illness is characterized by abdominal pain, fever and signs of septicaemia.

6.0 ICD Code(s)

6.1 ICD-10 Code(s)

6.2 ICD-9 Code(s)

7.0 Type of International Reporting

8.0 Comments

9.0 References

Wilson RW, Sande MA. Current Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases. McGraw-Hill Professional, 2001.

Date of Last Revision/Review:

May 2008