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Anthrax typically occurs in the summer, but a Texas rancher developed the painful and potentially lethal disease last winter His infection was traced to a lamb that he butchered after it died unexpectedly on the ranch Vaccination of livestock in anthrax-endemic areas could prevent the deaths of animals and illnesses in humans FRIDAY, June 7, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- Anthrax disease in humans is rare and when it does occur, it's usually during hot, dry summers. That's why the case of a Texas rancher who developed anthrax in January of this year piqued the interest of investigators at the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rancher, who survived his ordeal, caught the anthrax germ after butchering and consuming meat from a lamb that had died unexpectedly on his ranch, reported a team led by CDC investigator Cari Beesley . The take-home message from this case: "Processing animals that die suddenly from unknown causes should be avoided, irrespective of the season," the researchers advised.



The case began with the rancher first consulting his doctor on New Year's Day about infected skin wounds that were found to be resistant to treatment with standard antibiotics. By Jan. 4, the man arrived at a hospital with fever, a high white blood cell count, a scabrous lesion on his right wrist and a swollen right arm complete with "blistered lesions.

" Based on those symptoms, doctors suspected anthrax, which can be a risk for folks working with livestock. The man was transfe.

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