Anthrax infection now an occupational hazard in RP

Exposure to anthrax is now considered an occupational hazard in the Philippines.

While assuring the public that a biochemical attack is unlikely in this country, the government still went one step further by including anthrax infection in the list of "occupational diseases."

Labor Undersecretary Jose Español said the Employees Compensation Commission (ECC) said persons infected by anthrax are entitled to compensation if exposure to the deadly bacteria occurs in the workplace or while performing their duties in the field.

Español said the ECC will also extend medical and rehabilitation services to those who may be infected.

He noted that no Filipino has so far been infected by the bacteria, which has killed three people in the US, mostly postal workers. An eighth worker from New Jersey was infected yesterday.

Anthrax is an infectious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by bacillus anthracis , a spore-forming bacteria. There are three forms of anthrax contracted by humans: skin, inhalation and intestinal anthrax, all of which are curable by common modern antibiotics.

Skin anthrax is the least dangerous, transmitted through contact with tissues of infected animals or their products, and is characterized by itching of the exposed part followed by a vesicle which develops into a depressed black wound within two to six days.

Inhalation anthrax is potentially deadly and is caused by inhalation of the bacteria’s spores which are airborne. It is characterized by fever, malaise, mild cough or chest pain followed by severe respiratory distress within three to five days after inhalation.

Intestinal anthrax is also potentially deadly and is caused by ingestion of contaminated, undercooked meat. It is characterized by severe abdominal pain.

The Department of Health issued the advisory amid an emerging local hysteria after several cases of anthrax infection were reported in the US and Europe, supposedly part of a biological attack by terrorists.

A strain of the anthrax bacteria, in powder form, was sent by mail to several US print and broadcast journalists and even senators.