Emerging Infectious Diseases (Apr 2021)
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.
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