Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35143510›Full record

ArticlePLoS neglected tropical diseases2022

First PCR Confirmed anthrax outbreaks in Ethiopia-Amhara region, 2018-2019.

Baye Ashenefe Wassie, Surafel Fantaw, Yonas Mekonene, Amete Mihret Teshale, Yohannis Yitagesu, Estifanos Tsige, Desalegn Getahun, Geremew Tasew, Getachew Abichu, Beyene Moges and 5 more

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
1.2field-weighted citation impact, top 23% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 15 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Identification ofPathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Baye Ashenefe WassieEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0002-2840-0044
Surafel FantawEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yonas MekoneneEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0003-3683-0965
Amete Mihret TeshaleEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Yohannis YitagesuEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0001-9530-6851
Estifanos TsigeEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Desalegn GetahunEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Geremew TasewEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Getachew AbichuEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Beyene MogesEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Ebba AbateEthiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Takele AbaynehNational Veterinary Institute, Bishoftu, Ethiopia.
Taye ZeruAmhara Public Health Institute, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.ORCID 0000-0003-0736-2955
Zewdu BelayAmhara Livestock Resource Development and Promotion Agency, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Siobhan M MorInstitute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.ORCID 0000-0003-0121-2016
Ethiopian Public Health Institute · ETNational Veterinary Institute · ETUniversity of Liverpool · GB

Funding

Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council BB/P027954/1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAnthrax is a disease that affects humans and animals. In Ethiopia, anthrax is a reportable disease and assumed to be endemic, although laboratory confirmation has not been routinely performed until recently. We describe the findings from the investigation of two outbreaks in Amhara region.

methodsFollowing reports of suspected outbreaks in Wag Hamra zone (Outbreak 1) and South Gondar zone (Outbreak 2), multi-sectoral teams involving both animal and public health officials were deployed to investigate and establish control programs. A suspect case was defined as: sudden death with rapid bloating or bleeding from orifice(s) with unclotted blood (animals); and signs compatible with cutaneous, ingestion, or inhalation anthrax ≤7 days after exposure to a suspect animal (humans). Suspect human cases were interviewed using a standard questionnaire. Samples were collected from humans with suspected anthrax (Outbreak 1 and Outbreak 2) as well as dried meat of suspect animal cases (Outbreak 2). A case was confirmed if a positive test was returned using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

resultsIn Outbreak 1, a total of 49 cows died due to suspected anthrax and 22 humans developed symptoms consistent with cutaneous anthrax (40% attack rate), two of whom died due to suspected ingestion anthrax. Three people were confirmed to have anthrax by qPCR. In Outbreak 2, anthrax was suspected to have caused the deaths of two livestock animals and one human. Subsequent investigation revealed 18 suspected cases of cutaneous anthrax in humans (27% attack rate). None of the 12 human samples collected tested positive, however, a swab taken from the dried meat of one animal case (goat) was positive by qPCR.

conclusionWe report the first qPCR-confirmed outbreaks of anthrax in Ethiopia. Both outbreaks were controlled through active case finding, carcass management, ring vaccination of livestock, training of health professionals and outreach with livestock owners. Human and animal health authorities should work together using a One Health approach to improve case reporting and vaccine coverage.

Indexed as

AdolescentAdultAgedAnimalsAnthraxBacillus anthracisCatsCattleChildDisease OutbreaksDogsEthiopiaFemaleGoatsHumansLivestock

Identifiers

PMID35143510
PMCPMC8865639
OpenAlexW4211107409

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.