Anthrax has a serious impact on the trade of animal products. There is an effective vaccine for those occupationally exposed, and successful vaccines for livestock, particularly for herds with ongoing exposure to contaminated soil. In most countries anthrax is a notifiable disease.
Surveillance is important to monitor the control programmes and to detect outbreaks.
An illness with acute onset characterized by several clinical forms. A case that is compatible with the clinical description and has an epidemiological link to confirmed or suspected animal cases or contaminated animal products. A suspected case that is laboratory-confirmed. All cases must be investigated. Routine monthly reporting of aggregated data on confirmed cases and investigation reports from intermediate to central level in public health and animal health sectors.