Beijing reports pulmonary anthrax cases, can beef and mutton be delicious?

  On August 9th, Beijing reported 1 exceptional case of pulmonary anthrax in Beijing.

How did this infectious disease, which is mainly prevalent in herbivores such as cattle, sheep, and deer, spread to humans?

Can we still eat beef and mutton?

Don't worry, experts from the Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention will tell you the answer.

  Epidemic of herbivores

  Passed on to people like this

  What is anthrax?

Anthrax is an infectious disease caused by bacteria (Bacillus anthracis), which is mainly prevalent in herbivores, such as cattle, sheep, and deer.

Bacillus anthracis can form spores (a form of bacteria), and its resistance will become very strong. It can survive for decades or even longer in a suitable environment. Herbivores such as cattle and sheep are generally infected by mouth while eating grass. The disease is caused by Bacillus anthracis in the soil.

  Anthrax is prevalent among herbivores. How did humans get infected?

According to experts from the Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people usually get anthrax through contact with animals and their products infected with anthrax. If the skin comes into contact with these pollutants, bacillus anthracis will enter the human body through tiny wounds on the skin, causing skin anthrax; If you eat contaminated meat, it can cause intestinal anthrax; if you breathe in droplets or dust containing Bacillus anthracis, it can cause pulmonary anthrax.

  Anthrax is severe or fatal

  But the probability of person-to-person transmission is low

  It is understood that skin anthrax is usually the most common after infection in humans, which can account for more than 95% of the exposed skin on the hands, feet, face, neck and shoulders.

After infection, the patient generally has fever and chills, and erythema or papules (a mass similar to a mosquito bite) appear on the skin, followed by blisters, and then the central necrosis forms an ulcerative black eschar.

  Is it serious to get anthrax?

If left untreated, anthrax is dangerous and can be fatal.

However, Bacillus anthracis is a bacterium and can be treated with a variety of antibiotics. Penicillin drugs are generally preferred. If you suspect that you may be infected with anthrax, you should go to the hospital in time.

The earlier the treatment, the better the effect.

  Although anthrax is contagious, don't worry too much.

Anthrax cannot spread from person to person like flu or new coronary pneumonia.

The probability of being infected by contact with a patient is extremely low. Generally, the skin anthrax lesions can excrete bacteria, and occasionally it can be transmitted from person to person.

Nevertheless, when caring for anthrax cases, contact should be minimized, and personal protection should be done when necessary.

  Purchase through formal channels

  Beef and mutton can be eaten safely

  Since anthrax is an infectious disease of herbivores, can we still eat beef and mutton?

Disease control experts said that beef and mutton sold on the regular market have undergone strict quarantine, and that beef and mutton purchased through regular channels can be eaten with confidence.

In addition, when processing meat, you should pay attention to separate raw and cooked meat, and meat should be cooked thoroughly before eating.

These measures can not only prevent anthrax, but also prevent other infectious diseases.

  It is understood that the exceptional case of pulmonary anthrax reported by Beijing this time came from Weichang Manchu and Mongolian Autonomous County of Chengde City, Hebei Province.

He had a history of contact with cattle, sheep and their products in the local area, and was transported to Beijing by ambulance 4 days after the onset of illness.

The case has been treated in isolation in the hospital, and all control measures have been implemented.

  In fact, there are animal epidemics of anthrax in my country and many parts of the world. Human anthrax infections also occur in professional groups, including cattle and sheep breeding, slaughter, and sales personnel, veterinarians, or those engaged in cattle and sheep product processing industries.

Therefore, these personnel must not only strengthen personal protection, but also strengthen livestock management in accordance with the requirements of the agricultural department, and accept quarantine. It is strictly forbidden to slaughter, eat sick, and dead animals, and do a good job of vaccinating livestock.

  At the same time, the public is reminded to avoid contact with unknown animals or related products, especially sick, dead animals or livestock when going out; choose a regular place when eating, choose well-cooked food, and maintain good personal hygiene habits.

In this way, you can avoid or reduce the infection of anthrax.

  Text/Reporter Li Jie