RIYADH, 18 October — The Kingdom is closely monitoring the situation concerning anthrax infection in the United States and Europe and is coordinating with the World Health Organization. However, no such cases have been reported locally.
This was announced at a press conference held here yesterday by Dr. Othman Al-Rabea, deputy minister of health for planning and development.
Assistant deputy minister of health for preventive medicine Dr. Yaqoub Al-Mazrou, assistant deputy minister for curative medicine Dr. Mansour Al-Hawasi, and assistant secretary-general of the Supreme Authority for Speciality Health Dr. Moqbel Al-Hudaithy were also present at the press briefing.
Dr. Al Rabea said although the Kingdom was safe from anthrax infection, the ministry was taking all precautionary measures to prtoect the health of its citizens and expatriates. “We are in close contact with WHO and are making use of the Internet to keep abreast of the latest situation.”
He appealed to both citizens and expatriates to report any suspect cases to the ministry on (01) 4014262/4057494. They should also take the patient immediately to the nearest clinic for treatment.
Pointing out that anthrax spreads mainly through contact with animals, Dr. Al-Mazrou said that it is an acute bacterial disease that usually affects the skin, or sometimes the lower respiratory/intestinal tract. Those coming in contact with infected cattle, camel or gazelle could be vulnerable to the disease.
The infection spreads through contact with the tissues of diseased animals (cattle, sheep and others) or by flies that act as vectors. Incidence of anthrax results from inhalation of spores in hazardous industrial processes, such as tanning of hides, or wool or contaminated bonemeal used in gardening.
Dr. Al-Mazrou said that in line with the instructions of Minister of Health Dr. Osama Shubokshi they had alerted all the CDCs (community disease control centers) in the Kingdom to watch out for any symptoms of anthrax infection. The CDCs had adequate stocks of antibiotics to cope with any situation. Their labs were also well-equipped to conduct tests.
Dr. Amin Mishkas, director of infectious diseases department, said the ministry had started distributing Arabic/English posters in hospitals and other community centers as part of its public awareness campaign. They were also advising physicians on what to do should they come across any such case.
“We are also bringing out a manual in Arabic and English to explain the symptoms and treatment of anthrax. After all, we occupy a strategic location between Asia and Europe. So we have got to be alert to any disease that breaks out in other parts of the world,” Dr. Mishkas added.
“After all, we are living in a global village,” he added.
