High Case-Fatality Rate for Human Anthrax, Northern Ghana, 2005–2016

Abstract

The human cutaneous anthrax case-fatality rate is ≈1% when treated, 5%–20% when untreated. We report high case-fatality rates (median 35.0%; 95% CI 21.1%–66.7%) during 2005–2016 linked to livestock handling in northern Ghana, where veterinary resources are limited. Livestock vaccination and access to human treatment should be evaluated.

Keywords

• Africa
• Bacillus anthracis
• bacteria
• case-fatality rate
• cutaneous anthrax
• enteric infections