Now, China sees deadly anthrax pneumonia case, patient had cattle & sheep contact history

On August 9, China has reported its first anthrax pneumonia case in norrn Hebei Province’s Chengde city. As per Global Times report, infected person h a history of having contact with cattle, sheep, and products from such animals. Reportedly, patient was transported to Beijing by an ambulance four days ago after showing symptoms, and person was n isolated and put under treatment. Chinese state media reported case quoting Beijing Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (Beijing CDC).

Anthrax is common among cattle and sheep, but human beings usually get infected after contact with sick animals or or contaminated products. most usual form of disease being transmitted, seen in 95% of reported cases, is caused by skin contact that les to blisters and even skin necrosis, as per Beijing CDC. Reportedly, most dangerous infection is anthrax pneumonia that happens when patient inhales dust containing bacillus anthracis and gets infected.

 Anthrax and COVID-19

People get intestinal anthrax after consuming contaminated food, usually meat. y also develop or symptoms, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Even though Anthrax can also be transmitted directly between human beings, it is not as infectious as flu or even COVID-19. Global Times report has also stated that Bacillus anthracis is a bacterium and several antibiotics are effective for treatment. case was reported on Monday while country only stepped up measures to stem surge of COVID-19 cases on Sunday. 

China has virtually banned people from travelling to Beijing from or provinces that have recorded a surge in coronavirus cases. Meanwhile, Beijing has also unveiled several measures to enhance management of people returning from regions with relatively high virus transmission rates. Beijing has imposed restrictions on purchasing railway tickets and air services on August 8, more than a year of COVID-19 first originating in country in December 2019. Flights from 15 cities, including outbreak hotspots such as Nanjing, Yangzhou, and Zhangjiajie, have been halted at Beijing Daxing International Airport, as per Global Times.

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