Anthrax is NOT a food safety issue
by Charlene Schuster, Executive Director, Montana Beef Council
Long before Sept. 11, the beef industry had been concerned about the threat of bioterrorism. Staff and leaders have been involved in ongoing discussions with USDA about the topic for several years.By January 2001, the foot-and-mouth epidemics in Europe had heightened awareness about biosecurity at the U.S. borders and the farm/ranch level in the United States. That heightened sense of alert remains in place at U.S. ports of entry and immigration channels.
While foot-and mouth disease can spread from one animal to another, anthrax is not spread this way. A few anthrax outbreaks typically occur each year in the United States, which means producers and veterinarians are well aware of the symptom and treatmentsand vaccine is available.
Anthrax is not a food safety issue in the United States. Infected animals would not pass either antemortem or post-mortem inspections. For these reasons, there has never been a case of intestinal anthrax reported in the United State from eating USDA-inspected meat. This threat is nearly non-existent with modern food safety inspection procedures and standards.
To protect the food supply, many feedlots, meat packers and food processors have restricted access to their facilities and increased security. Livestock producers should consider restricting access to their property and remain vigilant to protect the nation's food supply.
Human anthrax exposure
When anthrax infects humans, it usually is due to an occupational exposure to infected animals or their products. Most (95 percent) anthrax infections in humans occur when the bacterium enters a cut or abrasion on the skin, such as when a producer handles a sick or dead animal, or when workers handle contaminated wool, hides or hair products (especially goat products) from infected animals.
Humans can contract anthrax in three ways. The skin form is usually seen in people who work with animal carcasses, wool, hides or fur. The infections are seen as large, local abscesses, often on the hand or finger. These skin infections can spread to the blood stream and cause serious illness or death. About 20 percent of untreated cases of cutaneous anthrax are fatal.
Inhalation anthrax is usually fatal unless treated early with antibiotics.
The intestinal form results from ingesting the bacteria and is characterized by acute inflammation of the intestinal tracts. Initial signs include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting and fever, followed by abdominal pain, vomiting of blood and severe diarrhea. Intestinal anthrax results in death in 25 to 60 percent of the cases.
For a copy of a beef industry publication with additional information on Animal Disease and Biosecurity, contact the Montana Beef Council, PO Box 5386, Helena, MT 59604, 406-442-5111 or e-mail: beefcncl@mt.net.