Caitlin Cossaboom

Having contact with animals that have died from anthrax is actually the most common route for humans to become infected with anthrax, anthrax is difficult to control, and outbreaks can be very difficult to predict.

Caitlin Cossaboom

Anthrax is only one of many, many diseases that are zoonotic, meaning they can be spread between animals and humans, some examples of this include rabies, which can be spread through bites from infected animals to humans, and rabies, also like anthrax, can be controlled by controlling it in animals.

Caitlin Cossaboom

The response in this outbreak -- including rapidly identifying people that had been exposed to the dead animals, providing them with antibiotics post-exposure and then starting the community engagement to raise awareness on what was going on -- was so critical, all of those actions together -- or this really rapid multisectorial response -- was the key to having a successful outcome.

Caitlin Cossaboom

It is important that these people in particular take precautions related to close contact with dogs and cats, and that they talk to their doctors about possible risks when they get sick.

Caitlin Cossaboom