Biological Hazard in Tanzania on Tuesday Description Cases of anthrax have been reported in several districts of Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions. The Zonal Veterinary Centre (ZVC) has reported that Arusha had seven cases of anthrax infections three of which occurred in Meru District, two in Arusha-Urban, One in Longido and the other in Arusha-Rural District. The Hai District of Kilimanjaro Region has suffered one case to date. Hai apparently borders Meru in Arusha and the latter has been experiencing Anthrax attacks for the last six years. According to ZVC report, this year has more anthrax cases than previous years, thus signalling a growing problem which needs drastic measures and especially in Arusha Region. There were only four cases of anthrax reported in Arusha last year all occurring in Meru District. Initial remedies taken include the recent mass vaccination of livestock where Arusha-Rural immunised 11,789 cattle, 1750 goats and 1,116 sheep between July 2012 and April 2013. The Arusha City in the same period vaccinated 4,612 cattle, 4,501 goats, 3,221 sheep and 1,279 pigs. Biohazard name: Anthrax (livestock) Biohazard level: 4/4 Hazardous Biohazard desc.: Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release. Symptoms: Status: confirmed
Posted on: Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:30:56 +0000