Risk of anthrax infection among general public ‘very low’, says DOH

MANILA–The Department of Health (DOH) said there is a “very low risk” for the general public to be infected with anthrax as it does not spread from person to person like a flu.

Anthrax is a serious infectious disease. It spreads through bacteria in soil and commonly infects grazing livestock and wild animals but can infect humans and be deadly in some cases.

Humans can become infected by breathing in the spores, eating contaminated food or touching bacteria with broken skin, f or instance when handling diseased animals.

According to the Health department, people who work with animals and their products, such as veterinarians, farmers, livestock personnel and others, are those who have the higher risk of getting infected.

“Anthrax does not spread from person to person like colds or the flu. It is caused by a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis, which produces spores. Animals like livestock are the ones most affected,” DOH said in a statement.

“Because the risk is specific to certain population sand occupations, available vaccines for anthrax are not used for the general population,” the Health department added.

It further said that the public can avoid getting anthrax by avoiding raw or undercooked meat or meat products and avoid contact with livestock or animal remains.

The DOH has not documented any case of anthrax infection in the country since the beginning of this year, while only 82 suspected anthrax cases were recorded in the Philippines from 2017 to 2023.

“The DOH, however, will continue monitoring other countries in relation to anthrax infections and coordinate with the Department of Agriculture for other measures that may be implemented to boost government efforts against anthrax,” it added.

Recently, Thailand’s government has ordered officials to closely monitor livestock along the border with Laos after more than 50 people were reported to have contracted anthrax in the neighboring country./