Anthrax endemic to parts of Indonesia

Anthrax endemic to parts of Indonesia

Ida Indawati Khouw, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The word anthrax now strikes fear in the hearts of many. Yet,
away from all the scare mongering, what is the possibility of
anthrax infection in Indonesia?

Indonesia is vulnerable to the naturally occurring form of the
disease, due to its agricultural soil and tropical climate,
sources say.

The disease was first recorded here in 1885; Jambi, Bogor and
Purwakarta in West Java, Boyolali and Salatiga in Central Java
and Sumbawa, West Nusa Tenggara, are endemic areas.

Acute infectious anthrax disease is caused by the spore-
forming bacterium anthracis, a bacterium which can be found
around the globe but is most common in agricultural regions. The
spores can live in the soil but are vulnerable to outside
elements, such as sunlight. Humans can become infected with
anthrax by handling products from infected animals or by inhaling
anthrax spores from contaminated animal products.

"The spores can be cultivated under certain media, which are
then crystallized to form a powder. The spores will easily
multiply in the body," said Mangku Sitepoe, a veterinarian and
expert on zoonosis, or diseases that are communicable from
animals to humans.

Sitepoe said spores could remain in soil for 20 to 25 years,
but more dangerous was the hardiest strain that could survive for
some 10 minutes in water boiled at 100 degrees Celsius.

"Thus it is important to cook meat for several minutes after
the water reaches 100 degrees Celsius," he said.

He added that consumers of roasted meat, such as satay, must
make certain the meat has been thoroughly cooked, otherwise it
might harbor spores.

Anthrax contracted by inhalation is most often found in people
who work with animal hair, wool and hide, such as brushmakers and
milkers.

"It's important for people to wear special masks and make sure
they're free from cuts when doing this kind of work," he said.